A royal expert has claimed they noticed a surprising change in the dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan during their recent trips to Australia and the UK. The observation was made while discussing the couple's changing public image on The Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast.
Harry Takes the Lead
Royal reporter Bronte Coy told the podcast that she had been struck by the difference after seeing Harry and Meghan in Australia, having previously felt their life in the US had largely been shaped by Meghan. She said: "I made this point when I came back from Australia when I was there earlier this year, I found this really intriguing because I agree that everything I'd seen of them prior to that was the Meghan show."
She suggested Meghan had previously appeared to be the driving force behind their life since they stepped down as working royals. "I think in the US, certainly, when this Megxit happened, she's very much been sort of the architect of what their life was going to be," she added.
A Shift in Public Appearances
However, Bronte said she noticed something different when the couple appeared together in Australia, as well as during their more recent UK trip. Harry recently returned to the UK for a series of events connected to charities and organisations including the Invictus Games, which he founded. Meghan and their children subsequently joined him, with the family understood to have spent time at Highgrove with King Charles in June.
Bronte added: "I was fascinated by the fact that when they arrived in Australia, and in this UK trip as well recently, it more felt like he was the one that was leading the charge, which surprised me." She added that the change could indicate Harry has become more comfortable with his position outside the Royal Family.
Expert Views on the Change
Talk TV host Samara Gill suggested Harry's behaviour could be linked to his experience of royal tours, arguing that this was an environment in which he appeared particularly assured. She said: "It was more of a royal tour as well, and that's what he's kind of been trained to do, like a sort of well-trained racehorse or something. He knows exactly how to do it. That's where he's in his element." She added that Meghan had never appeared as comfortable in that setting: "She's absolutely not comfortable there and never was really, if you look at it."
Harry and Meghan's Australia itinerary included Indigenous culture, Australian sport, charitable causes and a visit to the national war memorial. Their previous Australian tour in 2018 came when they were still working members of the Royal Family and attracted large crowds, with tens of thousands turning out during their nine-day trip. The reception was markedly different this time, with the BBC reporting that many Australians were unaware of or uninterested in the couple's visit. Their public engagements also prompted criticism after concerns were raised about Australian taxpayers potentially contributing towards security costs.
The couple's UK visit marked a significant reunion with the King, with Archie and Lilibet having last seen their grandfather in person during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
