Meghan Markle's rush to cut ties with UK has left Prince Harry dangling in a precarious position - analysis by Svar Nanan-Sen

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan Markle's hastiness to cut ties with the UK has left Prince Harry dangling in a precarious position.

PA
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 24/08/2023

- 11:22

Updated: 25/08/2023

- 07:36

The Duchess of Sussex has not travelled to the UK since September 2022

Meghan Markle's hastiness to cut ties with the UK has left Prince Harry dangling in a precarious position as he becomes more isolated.

The Duchess of Sussex has turned down plenty of opportunities to travel to the UK with her husband in 2023.


Prince Harry has made multiple solitary trips to England this year while Meghan has remained in the US with their young children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

In September, Harry will be returning to the UK to attend the WellChild award ceremony on the eve of the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The Duchess of Sussex has turned down plenty of opportunities to travel to the UK with her husband in 2023.

PA

The Duke of Sussex is expected to be in the UK for only a few days as his Invictus Games tournament begins just two days after the charity event on September 9.

Meghan has decided not to join her husband at the award ceremony despite the fact she will be flying to Europe later in the week to attend the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The Duchess of Sussex's latest decision to avoid the UK in 2023 follows her absence from King Charles's Coronation in May despite being invited to the historic Royal Family event.

Meghan also chose to remain in the US rather than support Prince Harry in London as he testified against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in a civil case.

The Duke of Sussex's appearances in the UK this year without Meghan by his side have had more than an undertone of awkwardness about them.

During the Coronation, Prince Harry looked like a spare part as he arrived at Westminster Abbey alongside his cousins and their husbands.

As the Duke of Sussex entered the Abbey, he seemed to linger and looked slightly confused.

In another awkward moment, Harry was relegated to the third row in Westminster Abbey alongside the other non-working members of the Royal Family, where at times, Princess Anne's large red feather on top of her hat comically blocked his view of the service.

Prince Harry

During the Coronation, Prince Harry looked like a spare part as he arrived at Westminster Abbey alongside his cousins and their husbands.

PA

The Duke of Sussex's appearance in the dispatch box as part of his phone hacking case against MGN in June was also very challenging.

Harry admitted "I don't know" 18 times during a bruising grilling in the High Court trial.

The royal appeared to choke back tears in the closing stages of the cross-examination in London.

Prince Harry will not be under such an intense spotlight during his visit in September compared to his most recent appearances in the UK.

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex will have to ask his father for permission to stay at one of the Royal Family residences.

PA

However, there will be a clear reminder of the Sussexes' decision to cut ties with the UK and the Royal Family upon his return.

Meghan and Harry no longer have a home in the UK after King Charles evicted the couple from Frogmore Cottage earlier this year.

The Duke of Sussex will instead have to ask his father for permission to stay at one of the Royal Family residences or source private accommodation for himself.

Whatever option Prince Harry chooses to pursue, he will likely feel far more isolated than if Meghan was by his side.

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