Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticised for acting like working royals during a visit to Nottingham on Thursday, despite no longer holding that status. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited three charities in the city, engaging in activities such as baking cupcakes, making West African food, playing pool and trying basketball, while greeting crowds of well-wishers.
The couple, who stepped down from royal duties in January 2020, were described by Buckingham Palace as "private citizens" with commercial and charitable interests. The palace statement said: "It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. This position will continue to be fully respected. It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."
Return to the UK
The couple reportedly responded by saying they preferred to be known as "public figures". They left the UK after the Sandringham Summit with the late Queen Elizabeth II in early 2020, agreeing to be financially independent and not represent the monarch or the Royal Family.
Earlier this year, they undertook two foreign tours to Jordan and Australia that resembled official royal visits. Their Nottingham appearance marks a further example of this pattern, according to the criticism.
Comparison with the King
While the couple were in Nottingham, King Charles was at the ceremonial opening of the Senedd in Cardiff, delivering a speech about character, identity and the power of endurance. The comment piece suggests the Royal Family will endure through King Charles, Prince William and Prince George, and questions whether the couple should stop what it calls "faux-regal grandstanding".
