Prince Harry is likely riding a high this week after a successful trip to his home country, which included a series of engagements for the 2027 Invictus Games, as well as a long overdue reunion with his father King Charles. After attending events in London and Birmingham, the Duke of Sussex was then joined by his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet for a private meeting with the King and Queen, giving Charles a chance to see his grandchildren for the first time in four years.
On-Screen Appearances and Royal Titles
Following their UK trip, videos emerged of both Harry and Meghan undertaking solo on-screen appearances. Harry was a guest on Joe Marler’s podcast, while a premiere date and short clip were released for Meghan’s anticipated appearance on MasterChef Australia, which was filmed when the couple were Down Under in April. During both appearances, Harry and Meghan used their royal titles. On the podcast, Harry claimed his occupation was ‘Prince of England’, while Meghan tasked the MasterChef contestants to create a dish ‘fit for a Duchess’.
Expert Weighs In
The comments have caused a stir with some royal watchers, who have pointed out that the Sussexes quit their royal roles more than six years ago. But according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, Harry and Meghan’s comments were perfectly innocent. Jennie told the Mirror: “I don’t think we should read too much into Harry and Meghan using their royal titles. Meghan is unlikely to have had any input on the script for MasterChef. The show was filmed quite a long time ago in any case, and it’s obvious that producers would come up with a catchline like a meal ‘fit for a Duchess’. That’s what they’re paid for. It is also obviously why Meghan was asked to be on the programme: the fact remains that she is still a Duchess and she’s unlikely to try very hard to stop people referring to her as such.”
The royal expert added: “Similarly with Harry. I’m not going to lambast him for taking part in a thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted podcast and rather taking the mickey out of himself by saying he’s a Prince of England and a Duke – which he is. This was Harry at his best.”
Secret Reunion with King Charles
Last week, Harry and Meghan spent valuable time with the King and Queen at Highgrove in what has been described as a ‘cloak and dagger operation’. The meeting was announced by the Palace, who added that no photos or details of the reunion would be shared. According to Jennie, as long as the details of the meeting remain secret - showing Harry and Meghan can be trusted to not spill the Royal Family’s secrets as they have done so before - it will pave the way to truly mending the fractured relationship between Harry and his father.
“We have not heard a whisper about what happened when Harry and Meghan took their children to meet the King and Queen at Highgrove,” Jennie said. “The only statement has come from the Palace, and that was brief and factual: they went for tea and there will be no photos or further information. And that is just as it should be. The only hope for further reunions and gradual reconciliation between father and son is if both sides honour a pact for complete silence and privacy. So far, so good.”
Jennie added: “I think we should all be happy that those little children have now met both sides of their UK family (they stayed at Althorp with Great Uncle Charles Spencer) and can begin to understand the rather extraordinary position in life they have been born into. And I think we should welcome the fact that King Charles has been able to see the grandchildren he hardly knows. Perhaps now at least, they can enjoy video calls with their very grand grandpa – until the next time they meet.”
