John Lydon, the iconic frontman of the punk rock band S– Pistols, has turned his critical eye toward Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In a candid interview, Lydon expressed his views on the royal couple’s actions, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Lydon minced no words: “I don’t want to be judgmental, but it’s very hard to think kindly towards them when they’re so darn nasty to their own families.” His reference to Harry’s bestselling memoir, Spare, underscores the tension within the royal ranks. Writing a tell-all about one’s own family, according to Lydon, crosses a line.
Spare, which turned 1.5 years old on July 10, remains a hit with fans, but the anger among the royals lingers. Royal expert Kerry Parnell believes Harry’s vindictiveness toward his brother and sister-in-law has irreparably damaged family bonds. Trust, once broken, is hard to mend.
The memoir followed Harry’s sensational revelations in the 2021 Oprah special and the December 2022 Netflix docuseries. Analysts expected the royals to recoil from their self-ousted prince, but the impact of the book was seismic.
A palace insider lamented, “He has absolutely and totally destroyed his relationship with his blood family.” The Prince and Princess of Wales, it seems, will remain silent. Only Harry’s father, the King, stands by him.
Lydon’s punk rock legacy endures, despite the band’s single album. His subsequent success with Public Image Ltd expanded his fan base. Critics accuse him of abandoning anarchic roots, but Lydon fires back: “People who begrudge me doing well for myself are the nasty dirty folks you’d rather avoid. They’re jealous crabs at the bottom of the barrel, ready to call out any ambitious soul at the top.”
In the tumultuous world of royalty and rock, lines blur, alliances shift, and memoirs leave lasting scars. As Harry and Meghan navigate their own narrative, the echoes of Lydon’s rebellious spirit resonate across generations.