Prince Harry needs our love and support

THE Duke of Sussex was a much loved member of our establishment. We should not reject him now, but keep loving him and offering him our support. He has himself spoken about his own mental health issues and his concern that his wife should not suffer the same sort of pressures that afflicted his mother.

Both he and Meghan were, I am sure, given advice from their family, friends and advisors about what a tough job it is for someone to join the Royal Family and to fulfil their role appropriately, including, in their case, the possibility of racial issues being raised outside their immediate entourage, which they would have to consider how to deal with. Meghan must have felt confident that she could manage what was required of her, and they got off to a great start as wonderful ambassadors against racism. Unfortunately, Meghan found that she could not hack it, and she wanted to withdraw. Harry had little option but to relinquish his royal role and move away with her and their son. In doing so, however, he gave up everything he knew about and the job for which he had been training since a child. He has lost his identity, his self esteem and his support networks, not just the Family, but his friends and army colleagues and the charities he had enjoyed establishing.

This is the last thing one would want for someone struggling with mental health issues of their own. Added to which, he has now moved to a foreign country, with a very different lifestyle, culture, customs and values. Despite the recent angry outburst on American TV, Harry needs all the love and support we can offer him.

Ann Dolan Bath