Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced relentless scrutiny since stepping back as working royals, with critics frequently accusing the couple of orchestrating "deliberate upstaging" against the Monarchy. From launching commercial ventures during historic addresses to staging high-profile engagements on key constitutional dates, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of pursuing a calculated strategy to hijack headlines and divert attention from King Charles and senior working royals.
While supporters argue that product rollouts, charity appearances and media schedules are planned months in advance, royal commentators insist the timing is often too precise to be mere coincidence. Below, the Express takes a look back at eight key moments where Harry and Meghan were accused of directly competing with the Crown, raiding the royal diary and stealing the Royal Family's thunder.
Princess Eugenie's Wedding and Other Early Incidents
In October 2018, the Sussexes caused a stir when reports surfaced that they chose Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding day at Windsor Castle to inform family members that Meghan was pregnant with Archie. Rather than letting Eugenie take centre stage on her special day, royal commentators slammed the couple for dropping their bombshell news at a rival celebration, with reports suggesting Princess Eugenie was left furious at having her big moment hijacked.
Harry previously denied claims that he tried to upstage William by announcing his Toronto trip just as his estranged brother arrived in Brazil for The Earthshot Prize last November. Harry, like his brother, was set for a busy week as he was set to jet to Canada, while William spent a few days in South America. Although Harry is said to have had a trip to Toronto in the diary for some time, he received backlash for announcing it on the same day William arrived in Brazil.
Court Appeal and VJ Day Commemoration
Harry was also accused of "deliberately trying to upstage his father" as he arrived at the High Court last April for his "last chance saloon" appeal over his security arrangements in the UK. On the same day as Harry's court appearance, King Charles and Queen Camilla met with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, during their state visit to Italy. The King and Queen also celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary during their state visit and released official photographs to mark the special occasion.
The Duke of Sussex was previously blasted for his "PR stunt" on VJ Day, with one royal expert accusing him of trying to "upstage" Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales. The King led the royals as the nation commemorated the 80th anniversary of VJ Day last August during the national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum. Though the Waleses did not attend, the Duke of Sussex left a wreath and a note at the Burma Star Memorial. Harry paid a poignant tribute to his late grandfather, Prince Philip, in the letter, which was placed after Charles and Camilla left to avoid being distracted from the service.
