Prince Harry's behaviour during Donald Trump's 2019 state visit has been questioned by a royal commentator who recalled an awkward moment that left her surprised.
Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of The Sunday Times, reflected on the events while discussing the latest tensions within the Royal Family on The Royals with Roya and Kate podcast.
Harry's Role in the 2019 State Visit
Nikkhah explained that the state visit had been a significant occasion, with the late Queen Elizabeth II hosting Trump and his entourage. Harry, who had "never been involved in a state visit", met the US president while Meghan Markle remained at home with their newborn son Archie.
Harry joined the late Queen for lunch with Trump and his entourage before taking part in an engagement at Buckingham Palace involving items from the Royal Collection with American connections.
Awkward Moment Caught on Camera
However, it was another moment during the visit that caught Nikkhah's attention. She recalled: "But I do remember Harry in the corner trying not to be photographed with members of the Trump's entourage. I think, I don't know, I just looked at that and saw it play out and thought, what on earth are you doing?"
Her recollections come amid renewed discussion about Harry's relationship with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William.
Harry's Remarks on Family Reconciliation
In a recent interview with GQ magazine, Harry spoke about his hopes of repairing his family relationships. Asked about his complicated relationships with his father and brother, he said: "Some people don’t want it to work out – I want it to work out."
He added: "With everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile – that’s the key point."
His remarks prompted speculation about whether he was referring to William, with whom he remains estranged. However, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex insisted that his comments were not aimed at his brother or any other relative, saying they were made in a general context and were "absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family."
King's Health Update
Harry also offered an update on his father's health, with the King continuing to undergo treatment for cancer. Asked whether having a sick parent brought back memories of the traumatic death of his mother, Princess Diana, Harry replied: "Yes but, you know, he’s getting better."
The interview was released as the Sultan of Oman's state visit began, with Charles, Queen Camilla, William and Kate taking part in the official welcome at Windsor. The visit had been months in the planning and was likely to be overshadowed by the interview.
