Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the UK has “the makings of a PR nightmare”, a royal writer claims.
The couple, who stepped back as senior royals in 2020, were last in the United Kingdom for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
Only a few months later, Harry and Meghan are scheduled to return for The One Young World 2022 Summit on September 5, followed by an Invictus Games event in Germany and the WellChild Awards back in the UK.
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘totally unsuccessful at making themselves matter’
The ever-opinionated Daniela Elser has chuckled at the timing of their visit as it will inevitably be overshadowed by the comings and goings at 10 Downing Street which the Queen will be involved in.
(Image: WireImage)
Writing for News.com.au, Ms Elser said: “But timing, oh she can be a cruel mistress, and the timing of the Montecito Two’s British return could not be more fraught or already have the makings of a PR nightmare.”
On the same week as the Duke and Duchess fly into the capital and crash at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, Boris Johnson will exit his post as Prime Minister and either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will replace him.
Ms Elser commented: “Not only will this ensure that the Sussexes high-wattage return will be unceremoniously shunted down the ladder into second or third place on the day, this also sets the stage for a potentially very awkward situation with the Queen.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The changeover at Number 10 means the Queen plans to cut her annual Balmoral summer holiday short to say her hellos and goodbyes, which is bound to keep her busy.
“Will we see Her Majesty make time to see her grandson and granddaughter-in-law? Ms Elser asks. “Or could she deliver the snub to end all snubs?”
There is also the possibility that the California-based royals will be appearing at the string of charitable events with Netflix cameras in tow, as fans eagerly await material from them following their big money deal.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
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Ms Elser continued: “If the situation comes to pass that both the Queen and the Netflix dabblers find themselves only minutes drive away from one another and the nonagenarian does not make any effort to see them, then it will be nothing short of abjectly humiliating for the duo.
“If the Duke and Duchess do fly 8500km around the globe only to be cold-shouldered by Her Majesty, it would be a stinging PR blow; a blow that is unlikely to impress their Netflix paymasters.
“After all, disaffected, self-exiled former HRHs who the amiable, widely-loved Queen won’t see make for a much harder sell to audiences.”