THOUGH it is less clear what he has succeeded at than what he has succeeded to by virtue of his birth, Prince Edward's bashing of the Brits in an interview in America for their tendency to "hate anyone who succeeds" is a right royal observation.

It is a persistent trend of the British - most often exampled in the tabloid press - to build up successful people, be it in business, sport or showbiz, and then turn on them with envy to gleefully knock them down.

By contrast, the Americans show admiration and a desire to emulate those who make the grade.

And does not Prince Edward do right to suggest that theirs is the healthier attitude?

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