Harry power, a lesson in 'Britishness'

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Gordon Brown has just received a lesson in Britishness: it is not about 'values' it is about institutions of Empire especially the monarchy and the armed forces. The Royals are a military family, with regimental insignia, kit, parades, and action! As usual with the media torrent a lot of the coverage about the revelation that Harry has served in Helmland is all about itself, what it kept quiet about and covered up, and what now it can reveal and whether it was right to do so and what kind of publicity has resulted. Images and talk about images. Then there is the "Is he 'ordinary' or special" routine that has greater impact here as it goes beyond the usual celebrity reflections (in the sense of superficial glitter) - because the royal family are more than just celebrities. The whole episode is contrived yet,  also, a really British moment of 'national pride'.