Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon, has stirred controversy with an online rant against Prince Harry, labeling him an "idiot deserving of mockery."
Sean, 48, enraged the Sussex Squad with a joke about Harry's book, Spare, stating, "My long-awaited review of Prince Harry's autobiography is two words: 'spare me.'" Although Sean insisted it was merely a pun on the book's title, his criticism intensified when challenged on social media platform X.
When users pointed out the similarities between Sean and Harry, including both losing famous parents at a young age, Sean recounted meeting Harry: "Actually, I'm aware that we have things in common. We met once, but that was before I realized he was an idiot." Sean seemed particularly offended by Harry's revelation that he treated his frostbitten penis, which he called his "todger," with his late mother's favorite lip cream. "It was a pun," Sean explained about his initial post, "but he deserves to be mocked after that todger episode. He'll be fine."
As social media users continued to support Harry, mentioning the tragedies he's endured, Sean stood by his decision to mock him. "That's very sad. I don't hold any of that against him. It's the stupidity that bothers me," Sean added. "Just because I made a joke doesn't mean I don't empathize with him. I do, actually. That's why I'm very disappointed with his outlook. I was hoping he'd be smarter."
In another reply, Sean said, "I do empathize with him generally, but the way he whines and wangs on about things is really too much. I'm just having a little fun. I think he's earned some mockery. I'm sure I have as well." When a Harry fan suggested that Sean was jealous of the prince's success as a bestselling author, Sean responded, "I mean, I don't care, but I did win an Oscar this year, so I think I'm doing okay."
Sean seemed unfazed by the backlash from Harry's fans, concluding, "People are coming after me because I made a joke about the title of Harry's book. It's pretty great." Sean won an Oscar in March for Best Animated Short Film for War is Over, inspired by the music of John and Yoko Lennon. He co-wrote the film with director Dave Mullins. "The haters would be the jealous ones here," Sean remarked. "I have substantial wealth, and they are resorting to exploiting veterans in Nigeria."
Sean is known for always speaking his mind with an open mind and a sense of humor. "Harry must wake up in the middle of the night missing his father's money and the smooth path it provided," Sean speculated. "Meghan must be both fuming about me and envying my wealth."
This controversy follows Harry's memoir becoming the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book ever, published by Penguin Random House in January 2023. Harry reportedly received a $20 million advance as part of a $40 million four-book deal. Henry's book accused his brother, Prince William, of pushing him into a dog bowl during a fight over his wife, Meghan Markle. It also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks, that King Charles prioritized his own interests over Harry's, and detailed Harry's use of drugs and enjoyment of the TV show Friends. Harry used the memoir to make various claims about his family, including that William called Meghan "difficult," "rude," and "abrasive," and that Charles refused to allow Meghan to join Harry in Scotland as the late Queen was dying.
