As the Royal Family wallowed in the pageantry of Trooping the Colour, Prince Harry was eight rows back in the stands watching basketball in Texas. Last week many of Harry’s family took turns riding into Royal Ascot in carriages to the cheer and adulation of tens of thousands of racegoers. Not to be outdone, Harry dropped the bombshell that he was heading to the UK this summer with his whole family in tow.
But as royal experts argue over whether the Sussexes will even spend any significant time with King Charles or Prince William, you have to ask: “Has Megxit proved a nightmare for Meghan and Harry?” The Sussexes certainly expect to arrive with a fanfare and don’t get me wrong, Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet all landing in Blighty will spark genuine fascination for Brits.
Even those who hate the monarchy will be intrigued – maybe in Harry they have a kindred spirit and an ally?
But gloss and goss aside, the Royal Family trundles on with day-to-day diary events, public meetings and functions – and Harry stepped away from ‘Working Royal’ duties years ago for a new, commercially-driven life, exploiting his family and name for personal gain.
For Harry, with all his books and TV shows, it was never ‘what you know’ but ‘who you know’.
Now – after years publicly trashing them – does he believe there is a role owed to him again in the Royal Family? He may be disappointed.
Because the gap created by the Sussexes’ 2020 departure to California is being quite nicely filled by more than a couple of suitors.
Already we have seen Zara and Mike Tindall up to, and seemingly keen to, take on roles that could come close to ‘working royal’ status – especially when it comes to sporting and equestrian duties representing ‘The Firm’.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have also proved a safe and steady set of hands as actual working royals – and have the complete confidence not only of King Charles but also Prince William and Princess Catherine.
But now we have a new couple on the scene who bring that extra ‘pizzazz’ of being newly-weds, as well as next-gen royals and that ‘fairytale princess’ Disney feel too – much, I’m sure, to Meghan’s ire.
And this female fairytale holds a UK trump card that Meghan just can’t match – she’s a paediatric nurse who works for the NHS. That’s a PR trump card you simply cannot beat.
Because earlier this month Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, 48, wed attractive, blonde, intelligent and clearly selfless NHS nurse Harriet Sperling, 45.
It is Peter’s second marriage, after he divorced former wife Autumn Kelly in 2021, and Harriet’s bio under one of her published works explains: “She is passionate about early brain development in babies and seeing children thrive.”
At Royal Ascot last week she stunned the crowds not just for her appearance and ease in the royal carriage but also the pair’s loved-up scenes as they shared Champagne in the Royal Box.
So while the Royals get on with life and fairytales without Harry and Meghan, you wonder if the Sussexes travelling to the UK is because they know their brand simply does not exist without access to his family.
Harry has exiled himself from history and Trooping the Colour, opting for basketball in Texas instead – he’s really ballsed it up.
