Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t part of the royal family anymore. However, what they did just weeks ago proved different, at least to some. The Sussexes visited Nigeria for a three-day visit to market the Invictus Games, where they met with wounded soldiers and visited local charities. The former royal couple received a warm welcome, and according to reports, they are already planning a new trip to another African country.
Meanwhile, some people have seen the trip as a threat. Prince William and Kate Middleton, two of the most senior royal family members and ‘arch-enemies’ with the Sussexes, were reportedly furious with Harry and Meghan’s trip, which was just like any other royal visit abroad – except that they weren’t royal anymore.
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But the trip wasn’t only seen as ‘invading on royal turf’ for the Prince and Princess of Wales. According to a royal expert, Prince William and Kate are “terrified” about Harry and Meghan – and that they will take over as the public face of the royal family.
The royal family’s image has deteriorated in recent months. There are several reasons for this, one more self-inflicted than the other.
Firstly, the fact that both King Charles and Kate Middleton haven’t been able to perform their royal duties because of their respective cancer treatments has been a big blow to the royal family. Of course, your health is always a priority, and no one could demand the king and Princess of Wales return to royal duty before they are fully fit.
Royal family in a “fragile” state, royal expert says
Years ago, the royal family consisted of many members, and some even argued that too many working members cost the taxpayers too much money.
However, in the spring of 2024, the royal family was left weak, former BBC journalist and political editor of the New Statesman Andrew Marr claims.
Previously, Prince Harry left for California together with Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew was cut off after the allegations of sexual abuse connected to Jeffrey Eppstein.
“This is a smaller and frailer royal family than Britain is used to,” Andrew Marr wrote in the New Statesman magazine, per AP News. “It scarcely seems believable that only a decade ago, people were complaining about there being far too many members of it.”
Managing editor of Majesty magazine added, “It’s a remarkable situation, and a significant moment for the monarchy and the institution so early in the king’s reign that two senior figures should be out of action. The pressure is on a much smaller team.”
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As King Charles and Kate Middleton were out of royal duty, Queen Camilla and Prince William had to take on more responsibility. The fact that they weren’t in public for several months has put the monarchy in a tough spot.
“This is a historic monarchy that thrives on interacting with people,” royal historian Robert Hardman told Sky News. “It has to be visible.”
Kate Middleton in the spotlight
The royal family is in a tough spot, and King Charles and Kate MIddleton have been out indefinitely for months – even though the king now performs some duties – which has been a tough blow.
Meanwhile, the Firm suffered a huge setback on Mother’s Day when Kate MIddleton broke the silence and posted a picture of herself and her children.
However, the picture turned out to have been manipulated. This caused a lot of anger among royal fans and experts, and just a day after it was published, the princess apologized.
