Harry and Meghan ‘have a proper’ to rival William and Kate as personal citizen row rages on
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been slammed for attempting to become “quasi-royals by stealth” after their first joint UK appearance since moving back to the country
Harry and Meghan have faced criticism after their Nottingham visit (Image: NEIL HALL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came under fire following their first joint public outing last week since returning to Britain, with critics pointing to the striking resemblance it bore to their former royal duties. Yet the Sussexes are said to “feel they have a right” to pursue engagements of their own selection, potentially putting them at odds with those undertaken by senior working royals such as William and Kate, according to sources.
One royal biographer has accused the duo of trying to become “quasi-royals by stealth”. Harry and Meghan relinquished their working royal status in 2020 and departed for America, before moving back to Britain in August.
A confidant of Harry’s revealed to Hello! that the pair believe “they have a right to” pursue “independent lives” which includes public appearances for causes close to their hearts.
The couple visited Nottingham for their first joint engagement since returning to the UK (Image: DARREN STAPLES, AFP via Getty Images)
The source informed the publication: “They want to have their independent lives in the way they think they should, and they feel they have a right to, like anybody. I don’t think they are going to do things in a different way just because they’re back in the UK.”
The Nottingham engagement took place just over a month following a firmly worded correspondence issued on behalf of the King which clarified Harry and Meghan’s position, defining them as “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
The message, which blindsided the couple, went on to specify that any activities they pursue “is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in a private capacity.”
The correspondence reinforced the late Queen Elizabeth’s ruling that Harry and Meghan couldn’t operate as ‘half-in, half-out’ working royals. A close source went on to reveal that any backlash regarding their public appearances “doesn’t trouble them”.
The visit has been compared to royal engagements carried out by Will and Kate(Image: Getty Images)
“They never agreed that they wouldn’t be half-in, half-out. That was what was decided and was foisted upon them.
“They’re just living their lives, and they can do it because they’re financially independent,” the source added.
After their Nottingham appearance, a spokesperson for the couple told People: “Everyone came away feeling really positive and genuinely thrilled by the love and support they received.”
During the visit itself, Meghan remarked to well-wishers: “It’s great to be back.”
Despite a divided response to their outing, the Sussexes are expected to keep undertaking royal-style engagements for charitable causes close to their hearts, potentially rivalling Will and Kate, who have maintained a united front since Harry’s return during their ongoing rift. Prince William is said to have regarded the quasi-royal Nottingham trip as “distateful”.
