Despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quitting the palace for a new life in America six years ago, their latest string of appearances and photo ops are so remarkably royal-like that even the most seasoned of observers have been left scratching their heads.
So it seems, have the Royal Family themselves, with royal correspondent Jennie Bond speculating earlier this week that the Sussexes’ upcoming ‘tour’ of Australia may have sparked some confusion behind palace walls.
‘I suppose the King and his family might wonder why Harry and Meghan have chosen to announce their visit to Australia with quite such a flourish,’ Jennie said earlier this week, following the Sussexes official announcement of their trip.
Within days, Meghan also posed for a photo op whilst visiting the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. And while the visit helped to raise the profile of the hospital, with services for children also being a cause close to Kate Middleton’s heart, we’re told that Meghan’s seemingly endless photo ops are being viewed as so ‘disrespectful’ by the Palace that Kate herself has been forced to step in.
An insider says, ‘Kate has tried so hard to stay above the drama but at this point she has to step in. Not only does she find Meghan’s whole charade totally disrespectful; she also knows how much it enrages William and truly upsets him to his core.
Spoilers. Scandals. Showbiz chaos. Click here to add heat to your Google preferences and stay ahead of the drama.
Meghan and Harry’s latest photos have caused a royal stirMeghan and Harry’s latest photos have caused a royal stir ©Getty Images
‘Here she is doing all she can to broker peace between these two brothers and anytime she makes any small progress it seems like Meghan does something that sets William off again.’
It’s just a matter of weeks now before Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41 – who have recently returned from a two-day trip to Jordan – set off on their first visit to Australia in seven years, with the so-called ‘quasi-royal tour’, as dubbed by the media, set to combine private, business and philanthropic ventures.
So far it isn’t clear how much of their unreleased schedule relates to their philanthropic activities and how many visits will be money-earners for the duo, with Meghan already confirmed to be holding a Q and A at a £1700 a ticket women’s retreat in Sydney, where she’ll also pose for photos with guests.
This grey area will have undoubtedly raised eyebrows within the Firm, following the late Queen’s demand that the couple stopped using their HRH titles – a request they have cleverly maneuvered around by utilising Harry’s ‘Prince’ title, his given birthright, and their titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Jennie also added, ‘I’m sure questions are going to be asked about Meghan advertising herself as Duchess of Sussex. That is, of course, her title – but things become a little murky if she chooses to use it for commercial activities.’
And alongside her recent photo-op, the source says Meghan’s apparent ‘copycat’ moves are only ‘inflaming’ what is already an incredibly delicate situation.
The insider says, ‘Meghan’s clearly doing all she can to copy the royal playbook and at the same she’s never done a thing but attack the institution, of course that’s going to inflame the situation.
‘A lot of the people within the Firm are convinced Meghan is doing all these copycat moves on purpose, there’s a sense that she actually enjoys poking the bear, and Kate is starting to see it that way too.
‘What really bothers William, and Kate too for that matter, is the way Meghan seems to be constantly trying to compete with them and overshadow what the rest of the family are doing.’
Following what had been called a ‘peace offering’ last summer, when it was reported how Harry had agreed to share his diary with the Royal Family to avoid overshadowing any of their own scheduled appearances, it appears Meghan’s own plans had not been included in the agreement.
Their trip to Australia could also potentially overshadow any celebrations regarding what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday on April 21st. The month also includes important dates such as the anniversary of Prince Philip’s death on April 9th and St. George’s Day on April 23rd.
And at a time when it is widely reported that the Royal Family are under intense public scrutiny, it’s clear any positive headlines could provide a much-needed boost for the Firm.
So much so, we’re told that Kate, 44, is ready to deliver a stark three-word command to Harry – Meghan Must Stop.
Kate is apparently gearing up for a three-word demand – ‘Meghan must stop’Kate is apparently gearing up for a three-word demand – ‘Meghan must stop’ ©Getty Images
The insider says, ‘In her view it needs to stop and she’s decided to take the bull by the horns and address this with Harry directly. She’s still convinced he’s being pushed along by Meghan’s ambitions and she doesn’t believe for one second he’s come up with these photo op tours, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to face the fallout equally.
‘In her view, it’s time he finds the courage to put his foot down and stop this charade and she’s going to let him know in detail the sort of chain reaction that is set off within the palace every time he and Meghan do one of these photo ops.
‘She truly can’t understand why Harry doesn’t grasp how damaging it is. He’s begging for them to be let back in, yet he’s letting Meghan continually sabotage any chance he has of mending fences with his family, it’s so illogical.’
Meanwhile, Harry has made it clear that he still wishes to reconcile with his family, having met his father King Charles briefly in September. And the source says Kate is also keen to move on for the sake of William and her children, who she wants to protect from the details of the feud that has torn their family apart.
The insider says, ‘In a lot of ways this does feel like a last-ditch effort for Kate, there’s a sense that she’s getting very worn down. She’s told friends that she’s willing to try again for the sake of her own family. Not only is this terribly unhealthy for William, she also worries about how it will affect her children.
‘She hates the idea that George, Charlotte and Louis are going to eventually know every detail about this family feud. As a mother it would break her heart if her children ever had something like this go on between them and she wants to set a good example for them, that’s a big part of why she keeps pushing forward when it all seems so bleak.’
Harry, too, once poignantly called Kate ‘the sister I never had’; with the duo having once shared such a close bond that Kate had reportedly bought Harry a ‘grow-your-own-girlfriend’ kit for Christmas one year, before he met Meghan in 2016. And the insider says their own relationship isn’t something Kate ever wanted to turn her back on.
‘She still remembers the Harry she used to know, they had a very special bond,’ the insider says. ‘When she and William briefly broke up all those years ago Harry didn’t turn his back on her, he was a real source of support and that is something she will always be grateful for. She knows he has a good heart and she wants to appeal to that side of him.
‘But as hopeful as Kate is, she also has to face reality. If this attempt fails and Harry refuses to rein things in, she may have to accept that the rift between the brothers isn’t going to heal anytime soon.’
