Prince Harry recently arrived in the UK for the second time since King Charles III disclosed his cancer diagnosis. However, his wife, Meghan Markle, chose to stay behind in the US, sparking various speculations about her absence.
Prince Harry made a significant appearance in his home country, specifically to attend the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games. The 39-year-old Duke of Sussex, who resigned from his senior royal duties with his wife, Markle, in March 2020, landed to a warm reception as he came to celebrate this pivotal charity event.
The Invictus Games, a brainchild of Prince Harry following his tenure in the British Army as an air controller, are organized annually to honor and support sick and wounded service members and veterans through the power of sport.
Upon his arrival, Prince Harry was immediately thrust into the limelight. Photographs that surfaced online captured him making a notable entrance at the event, warmly engaging with attendees and offering greetings before he ascended the stage for a panel discussion.
This event was not just a ceremonial appearance; Prince Harry actively participated in the “IGF Conversation: Realising a Global Community.” It is a discussion aimed at fostering global solidarity through the Invictus Games, set just before the official commencement of the competition.
This visit to the UK was notably swift and came under pressing circumstances. Following the announcement that King Charles III was undergoing treatment for cancer, the media reported that Prince Harry had quickly flown to the UK in February 2024.
Despite the urgency and potential gravity of the situation, his visit to see his father was remarkably brief, lasting only a few hours. Buckingham Palace released a statement that same month regarding the King’s health. The institution explained the royal’s treatment and expressed his gratitude toward his medical team for their timely intervention.
The palace revealed that while at a hospital for benign prostate enlargement, doctors discovered another pressing issue regarding the royal’s health. Following diagnostic test, King Charles learned that he had a form of cancer. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual, the statement read at the time.
During this recent visit, a Buckingham Palace spokesman revealed that Prince Harry would not see his father due to the King’s “full program.” Furthermore, Prince William also missed the Invictus Games events.
According to the statement shared by the royal’s spokesman, Prince Harry understands that his father is busy because of work commitments including other priorities and hopes that he would see him soon.
Ahead of the event, it was already public knowledge that the Duke’s wife Markle would not be joining him for the occasion. Even when he made his way to the UK in February following the diagnosis of his father, she chose to stay behind in the US.
Speculation about the Duchess of Sussex’s absence was rife, with former royal butler Grant Harrold claiming that she felt that it was something that Prince Harry had to do alone.
Harrold, who previously worked for the King of England for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, further claimed Markle made a conscious choice to stay behind.
He suggested that she stayed back to look after their children, believing that Prince Harry should face this family matter alone. “It’s his father. She’s aware of the close relationship and probably encouraged him to come over,” Harrold stated.
However, Meghan’s decision not to accompany Prince Harry for his recent trip was not just about family dynamics. Royal experts suggest that she might travel to the UK at a later date.
Meanwhile, discussions about bringing their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK have been proposed by Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton in an effort to mend familial rifts. However, royal author Tom Quinn noted that these plans are not progressing.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently have a strained relationship with the Royal Family and are also estranged from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Prince William and Middleton have attempted to salvage the foursome’s relationship by inviting them over with their kids but Markle reportedly refused.
“There is no way Meghan would bring the children to the UK. William and Kate have suggested that Meghan and Harry bring the children and that the two couples and their families try to make up, but the suggestion is not leading anywhere so far,” said Quinn.
Adding to the complexity of her decision, Markle is scheduled to travel to Nigeria shortly after Prince Harry’s UK visit. While there, the royal couple will discuss the Invictus Games and will be offered security by the Nigerian government.
This trip, according to royal correspondent Jack Royston, offers a significant public relations benefit that she wouldn’t receive in the UK. That said, the Duchess of Sussex would rather travel to the African country instead of going to a place where people “don’t really like her very much.”
According to one expert, the American native will probably be accused of being “selfish” by refusing to come and see King Charles and Middleton, who are currently experiencing health issues.
Although the real reason for the Duchess of Sussex absence remains unknown, royal experts claim that the royal fears “waves of abuse” if she returns to the UK.
Author Quinn, said, “Meghan will be accused of being selfish by not coming to see King Charles and Kate. […] People are beginning to ask why can’t Meghan just grow up and accept that families fall out but that holding grudges is just selfish and immature.”
Quinn’s comments come after ITV News’ royal correspondent Chris Ship recalled how the Duke and Duchess were treated the last time they made a public appearance together at a royal event. He said Markle would not want to experience that again.
Markle’s last visit to the UK was in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where she and Prince Harry faced a hostile reception.
She and her husband Prince Harry were booed during their last visit to the UK together. This occurred as they went inside St. Paul’s Cathedral and once, they came out again.
Moreover, former Hollywood actress does not want to steal the spotlight from the royal family. Markle skipped on going to her father-in-law King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023.
Royal biographer, Omid Scobie appeared on “This Morning,” and explained the Duchess only wanted to protect her peace, hence she did not go. When asked whether some royal members would be relieved that she was not there, Scobie said probably.
Royal biographer Omid Scobie suggests that despite this, Meghan maintains a warm relationship with King Charles, sharing updates about their children with him through aides.
“There is more warmth between Harry and Meghan and Charles than other family members,” Scobie said in an interview, adding, “and that has grown since they’ve left the country.”
Scobie admitted that he was surprised to learn that Markle kept in touch with her father-in-law. He said that seeing the two still keep in touch, there is hope for reconciliation between them.
At his coronation, King Charles expressed affection for the Duchess of Sussex and his son Prince Harry, affirming his love for them as they build their lives abroad.
“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas,” said the King. This gesture hints at a possible reconciliation between the King and the Sussexes, although the difficulties of their relationships with the broader Royal Family remain.
