The British royal family are not happy with Harry and Meghan's headline-making visit to Nigeria, accusing the couple of acting like working royals despite resignation.
- May 17, 2024
AceShowbiz - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria has stirred the Windsors into a state of fury, with claims that the couple is acting like working royals, despite stepping back from their duties in 2020.
Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, embarked on a three-day trip to Nigeria, a visit filled with all the elements of an official royal tour. The Duchess of Sussex co-hosted a Women in Leadership event with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the couple visited educational institutions and military hospitals, drawing substantial public attention.
The West African country's chief of defense staff invited them, making it clear that the UK Government was not involved in organizing or facilitating their activities. Despite this, the visit bore the hallmarks of a royal tour - receptions, charity visits, and public speeches — which infuriated the British royal family.
According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Prince William and King Charles are particularly agitated by the optics of the trip. "William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in future," Quinn told The Mirror. "Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him."
The main grievance from Buckingham Palace isn't just the appearances and speeches that seemed reminiscent of royal duties; it's that Harry and Meghan are giving the impression they "refuse to accept they are no longer working royals."
"What's really upset the applecart is the fact that the Nigerians treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour - all the signs were there as the couple were greeted with dances, receptions, visits to schools and charities," Quinn added.
The trip seems to underscore a "charisma vacancy" that has been felt since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties. As detailed in Tina Brown's book "The Palace Papers," the Nigeria visit showed a vibrant, impactful side to the royal engagements that many feel has been missing.
Royal analyst Tom Quinn suggests that the royal family is now grappling with how to deal with this "nightmare situation." The slimmed-down monarchy is struggling to keep up appearances, relying heavily on a limited number of senior royals. "Charles is very aware that his slimmed-down monarchy is getting positively skeletal. He is heavily reliant on Anne and the Edinburghs," Quinn noted.
The situation illustrates an unexpected resilience and success by Harry and Meghan, who have been thriving independently. This has left William and Charles "scratching their heads and thinking, 'How are we going to control this nightmare situation?' "
As the royal family contemplates its next moves, the ongoing intrigue, public perception, and internal dynamics within the Windsors continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
