Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘positioning themselves as heirs’ throughout ‘fake royal’ tour
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face criticism for their ‘faux royal’ tour of Australia, with royal expert claiming the couple are ‘positioning themselves as heirs’ despite stepping down
Could they be vying for power?(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
As Harry and Meghan carry out their duties in Australia, the couple have been under scrutiny for what seems to be a ‘faux Royal’ tour, despite their exit from the royal family. The four-day visit is brimming with commitments reflecting their main interests; highlighting the veteran community, mental health, sport and youth empowerment.
Trips were scheduled in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney and the arrival of the Duke and Duchess has elicited a mixed response from Australians, with some locals labelling the pair as ‘irrelevant’, while others extended a warm welcome to the former royals.
The duo have already paid a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital and Harry embarked on solo ventures on Wednesday to the Australian War Memorial and opened up about his struggles and therapy during a discussion with men’s mental health charity Movember.
However, despite this not being an official royal tour, critics have been quick to point out its striking similarity, with royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams stating “they were obviously positioning themselves as heirs”, reports the Mirror.
Fitzwilliams further commented: “It has never been disputed that when Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals after wanting to be ‘half in half out’ it was a blow to the contemporary image of the institution.
“This subsequently and infamously degenerated into a deep and lasting rift. Watching them at carefully pre-planned events on their “faux royal” tour of Oz, you can, however, see the appeal.”
On Tuesday, the duo chatted with youngsters and took photographs at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in a moment that parents described as bringing much-needed ‘smiles’ to their children’s faces.
However, while there is obvious delight amongst those present, these encounters have been viewed as ‘hypocritical’.
Fitzwilliams said: “You can also see the carefully planned choreography behind the charming images at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
“The visit was carefully planned to make them successors to a royal tradition, Queen Elizabeth had opened it in 1963 and Harry’s parents visited in their 1985 tour.
“The images of them with the children were touching and heartwarming. To pretend that they were ‘call me Meg’ non-royals was totally hypocritical, they were obviously positioning themselves as heirs to a royal tradition.
“Had they simply stepped back, but been positive about the institution, a way might have subsequent to the Sandringham Agreement, have been found for them to use their undoubted talents when pressing the flesh. Meghan’s visit to a woman’s refuge was another example.”
On day two of the tour, Harry undertook individual commitments, most notably discussing his challenges of early fatherhood during his visit to a Melbourne football club before travelling to Canberra where he participated in war memorial ceremonies.
Royal expert Fitzwilliams said: “Harry’s engagements to on Day 2 saw him in his element. His Invictus links do give him special status when dealing with the military, which has meant so much to him.
“When he said he needed to ‘deal with stuff from my past’ and ‘cleanse’ himself, it almost certainly resonated with those he was with, it is the way he has done this that has caused the breach with his family.
“The Sussexes relentless positivity in their public appearances in charitable events is so at odds with their actual private behaviour.
“Meghan personifies it in her public appearances, yet only has close relations with her mother and is estranged from the rest of both sides of her family and so appears ruthless and artificial.
“The tour appears to be progressing as the Sussexes had hoped so far, despite media scepticism and tickets are reportedly still available if you feel like being cleansed during a ‘girls wellness weekend’ with Meghan or hear Harry speak on mental health!”
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