Meghan Markle's absence at Invictus Games ceremony explained by Prince Harry

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, stepped down as working royals in 2020 and subsequently settled in the US.

Although the duke has returned to the UK as recently as May to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Meghan has not visited the country since Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral in 2022.

When Harry returned to London for the anniversary service at St Paul's Cathedral two months ago, many were surprised the duchess did not accompany her husband.

This was especially the case as the duke and duchess immediately jetted off together to Nigeria for an unofficial royal tour.

Speaking in the new documentary, Harry said: "Look at what has happened in the last four years to me, my wife and my family, right?

"So that was a very hard decision for me to make, which is, how bad is it going to get?"

ITV reporter Rebecca Barry asked the duke: "Some would say that you taking on these high-profile battles actually attracts more attention onto you?"

Harry responded: "There is more than enough attention on me and my wife anyway.

"There was... they pushed me too far. It got to a point where you're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't.

"I don't think there's anybody else in the world that is better suited and placed to be able to see this through than myself.

"It's still dangerous. And all it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read...

"And whether it's a knife or acid, whatever it is.

"And these are things that are a genuine concern for me.

"It's one of the reasons why I won't bring my wife back to this country."

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Harry's pledge not to bring Meghan back to the UK would explain why she was absent at the 10th-anniversary service for the Invictus Games in May.

It would also explain why the mother-of-two was not by Harry's side for his various court case appearances in London, where the duke was taking legal action against sections of the British press.

In addition, when King Charles publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in February, Meghan did not accompany Harry on the flight to London the following day.

The duchess also did not attend the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May 2023.