Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly 'taking a break from public life' in a surprising shift following their initial appearances since returning to Britain. According to The Times, the Duke and Duchess are set to temporarily withdraw from the public eye.
The couple have dominated news coverage since relocating to the UK in late August. Earlier this month, they attended a 'quasi-Royal' engagement in Nottingham, greeting supporters and posing for photographs with admirers.
Backlash Over Timing
However, their Midlands appearance coincided with King Charles ceremonially opening the Welsh Parliament, which drew criticism. It also comes after Meghan was announced as the new presenter of Junior Masterchef Australia on Tuesday.
A source told The Times: "Harry doesn't set out with an intention to try to pull focus or draw attention away from what his father is doing or what his brother is doing."
"Obviously with the King going to [the Caribbean] and the Prince and Princess of Wales going to India, he knows about those things and he is obviously mindful of that as he's planning his own activities as well," the source added.
Royal Schedule Conflicts
The Sussexes are expected to spend the half-term break with Archie and Lilibet while Charles carries out Royal obligations during a nine-day Caribbean tour. Prince William and Princess Catherine are also scheduled to travel to India next month for the Earthshot Prize, reports the Express.
Charles' Caribbean tour has been branded his toughest assignment during his four-year reign, with growing pressure on His Majesty to apologise for Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The Labour government has once again rejected paying reparations for the historical practice.
Nevertheless, the King has not shied away from addressing the matter. During a speech in the Bahamas on Wednesday, he declared: "It is only right we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past, in these islands and beyond. Even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future."
Reports suggest diary conflicts between the Sussexes and the Palace stemmed from their respective offices failing to share sufficient information about their schedules, and this occurred unintentionally rather than being a deliberate snub to either side.
