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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry should 'defend his family' over controversial cartoon, says former butler

Princess Diana's former butler has criticised a controversial cartoon that mocks the royal family and says it's "ironic" Prince Harry hasn't spoken out about it.

The Prince, which has been shown on HBO in the US, is a satirical take on the inner workings of the royal family.

The cartoon - created by Family Guy writer Gary Janetti - is seen through the eyes of Prince George, with the eight-year-old depicted as a sassy brat.

But it has come in for criticism for mocking the royals - especially the younger members of the family such as Prince George and Princess Charlotte, with some saying children should be "off-limits".

Controversial cartoon The Prince, which a satirical take on the inner workings of the royal family (HBO)

It has also been slammed for showing a drooling Prince Philip, depicting Prince Harry as dim and showing the Queen running the family like a mafia boss.

Speaking with Closer magazine former butler Paul Burrell said he would like to see Harry and wife Meghan speak out about the series.

He said: "It seems ironic to me that while Meghan and Harry are happy to lend their voices to supporting mental health charities, they can’t seem to speak up and defend their family.

Prince Harry, who has not yet spoken out about The Prince cartoon (Getty Images)

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"I’ve seen The Prince and it’s extremely damaging to target a young boy and mock him in the way the cartoonists have done."

In the cartoon, the voice of Prince Harry is voiced by Orlando Bloom, thought to be a friend and neighbour of Meghan and Harry.

And while Harry hasn't spoken publicly about it, the show's creator Gary Janetti has insisted the royal was fine about it.

Orlando Bloom, who voices the Prince Harry character, with fiance Katy Perry (Getty Images)

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, he said: "I don't know if Harry has said anything to Orlando about it, but I know before the show premiered, he was aware that Orlando was doing it.

"And he seemed to have a sense of humour about it."

Orlando also defended the show and told The Hollywood Reporter : "It's not malicious or intended to be.

"Actually Katy [Perry] saw one bit of it and was like, 'You've got to do this. This is genius'. And the animation is done by some of the guys who did Family Guy, so it's going to be very amusing. And who doesn't love the royal family?"

While Alan Cumming, who voices Prince George's butler, has also stuck up for the animation, saying it's "not as mean" as people think.

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