Prince William said Queen ‘does not care for celebrity’ before Harry’s Corden interview

Prince William is said to be “utterly aghast” at his younger brother’s decision to take part in a prime-time interview with TV talk show legend Oprah Winfrey. But, before this “intimate” conversation between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the famous US presenter aired, Harry made a surprise appearance on The Late Late Show. The US programme is currently hosted by British comic James Corden, a long time friend of Harry’s, and he chose to take the rebellious royal for a bus tour around LA as they chatted.

The light-hearted nature of the segment – also known as Carpool Karaoke – usually includes guest appearances from former First Lady Michelle Obama to popstar Lady Gaga.

Subsequently, there was significant backlash among royal watchers to Harry’s trip with Mr Corden as he veered away from typical royal behaviour.

While the Queen allegedly told Harry she is “delighted” he found happiness in his new life in the US with Meghan and Archie, in a phone call before the Late Late Show aired, she also warned him to continue upholding the monarchy’s values.

Additionally, William once said that his grandmother has no interest in the celebrity element of living in the public eye.

In an interview with author Robert Hardman, the Duke of Cambridge said that the Queen “cares not for celebrity, that’s for sure”.

Speaking in 2012, he continued: “That’s not what monarchy’s about. It’s about setting examples.

“It’s about doing one’s duty, as she would say.

“It’s about using your position for the good. It’s about serving your country – and that really is the crux of it.”

Indeed, the Queen received widespread praise when she urged the public to follow her lead and accept the COVID-19 vaccine just last week.

Although matters relating to her personal health usually remain private, she broke royal tradition by discussing how the jab “didn’t hurt at all”.

The monarch then addressed vaccine hesitancy, and claimed the public “ought to think about other people rather than themselves”.

This was an astounding intervention from the usually apolitical monarch – but it was overshadowed by Harry’s surprise appearance on The Late Late Show on Thursday.

Insiders even claimed that his appearance created “disquiet” at Buckingham Palace, as there is a tacit agreement among royals that the Queen gets priority when it comes to the spotlight.

But, now that the Sussexes are officially no longer royals and have no intention of returning to the Royal Family, they do not have to ask the Palace for permission before making a public appearance.

Body language specialist Judi James also claimed this week that the James Corden segment showed “very much ‘celebrity’ Harry”.

The Duke of Sussex has been accused of stepping into A-lister spheres repeatedly since leaving the Royal Family.

He and Meghan have an £11million mansion in Montecito, California, and count both Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres as their neighbours.

They are said to be friends with music producer David Foster and his actress wife Katharine McPhee.