COMMENT | Before the late Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe arrived for a state visit to the United Kingdom in May 1994, the media was on a warpath with the establishment.

While English newspapers generally opposed the visit, the red tops went further to suggest that “the Queen would be shaking hands with a leader whose hands are tainted with the blood of its citizens.” Perhaps, they were speaking the truth because thousands of people died during Mugabe’s brutal regime.

In a country where freedom of expression is revered, criticising or lampooning members of the royal household is fair game. Of late, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry have become targets of the tabloids for what is perceived as their indiscretion and impudence.

However, in this part of the world...