OPINION: Lauren Welch argues that being a loving father and being the King are two very different things when it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest demands.
Harry and Meghan are back in the UK (Image: GETTY)
If reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “expected to be let back in” are true, they have seriously misunderstood the Palace’s tone. Since their return to the UK at the end of August, the couple have already faced some rather extraordinary claims.
Six years after stepping down as senior working royals and airing their grievances with the institution that Harry was born into, the couple are now reportedly expecting that the Firm will hold the door open for them. Not even merely ajar, but open with them welcoming them inside.
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King Charles may be Harry’s father, but being a loving father and being the King are two very different things.
Harry and Meghan have made it clear over the years that they wanted financial independence and to build a life away from the prying eyes of the press, and, for the most part, they got that.
The independence that the Sussexes have craved awkwardly comes with one other companion: consequences.
In my opinion, they cannot simply insist that they have escaped an institution and then demand that very same institution restore their position whenever their circumstances change – it’s madness.
The King appeared to take a stance with an in-depth statement outlining his son and daughter-in-law’s position, with the couple said to have been left surprised by his choice of words to describe them.
Meghan and Harry pictured with their two children (Image: Instagram/meghan)
The King, who referred to them as ‘private citizens’, cannot simply press reset, and I think his statement is evidence that he won’t be able to.
He may forgive, he may want reconciliation, but forgiveness is not the same thing as “letting them back in”.
Harry will always be the King’s son and a prince; this is something that nobody can erase. But being a member of the Royal Family is not the same thing as being a working royal. Harry can return home as a family member, allowing his two children to spend quality time with their grandfather, but he cannot simply return on his own terms.
Express reporter Adam Toms says, as usual, the Sussexes have got the wrong end of the stick.
King says Meghan and Harry not working royals despite UK return
Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK has not begun in what you might call an auspicious manner. Buckingham Palace’s devastating letter published earlier this week reiterated that the couple are “private citizens”, in what could be viewed as the King laying down the gauntlet — his first test. It was seemingly to pre-empt engagements the Sussexes are expected to carry out in the coming months, which could be judged by observers to be quasi-royal.
Harry and Meghan clearly want the attention and clout of working royals without, you know, actually being working royals. You only have to look at their recent trip to Australia. They have themselves to blame for the latest development: Uganda pulling out of Harry’s Invictus Games. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country’s military chief, has told the Times that this is because he wants to quash support for “Harry-Meghan nonsense” within his defence ministry and signal his support for the King.
Harry and Meghan are back in the UK (Image: Getty)
The Sussexes blame Charles for Uganda’s withdrawal (Image: Getty)
That’s the correct position to take.
This is a huge embarrassment for Harry, as Uganda only joined the Invictus Games in July.
This was announced at Chatham House in London, as the duke marked the one-year countdown to the next games.
The Sussexes should realise that this shows their actions have consequences.
They have acted in a spoilt and nasty manner and people have realised this.
The couple find themselves in a giant hole.
But, inevitably, they have grabbed the wrong end of the stick.
A source close to Harry told ITV: “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday.”
They added: “Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”
Please have some introspection, Harry.
That letter was necessary because of your actions — actively trying to damage the monarchy, your own family, and go against the wishes of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by clearly wanting to carve out a sort of “half-in, half-out” role for yourself and Meghan.
Tantrums don’t get you anywhere in life.