Harry and Meghan Opt for William's Preferred £3,000-a-Night Suite During Jordan Tour
In a move that echoes royal tradition, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex selected the exact same opulent £3,000-per-night accommodation as the Prince and Princess of Wales during their recent visit to Jordan. The couple's stay at the St Regis hotel in Amman has drawn attention for its parallels with Prince William's preferences, highlighting the intricate family dynamics at play.
Following in Royal Footsteps
Prince Harry deliberately chose his estranged brother's favourite room in his preferred Amman hotel for what some have termed a 'faux royal tour' of Jordan. This decision comes despite the Sussexes' stepped-back status from official royal duties since 2020. The Prince and Princess of Wales have maintained strong connections to Jordan over many years, with Kate Middleton having lived there as a child during the early 1980s when her father worked for British Airways in the region.
William has developed particularly close ties with Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, with both he and Kate attending the royal wedding in Amman two years ago. King Charles maintains a robust relationship with King Abdullah II, while the late Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a forty-year association with the previous monarch, King Hussein. These historical connections were emphasised by King Charles during his 2021 visit to Amman, where he spoke of the personal nature of this longstanding friendship.
Luxurious Accommodation Details
The Royal Suite at the five-star St Regis spans an impressive 363 square metres across the 15th floor of the 17-storey hotel. Described by the hotel as 'the only one of its kind', this sanctuary of grandeur features three fully equipped bathrooms, a 24-hour on-call butler service, and breathtaking balcony views overlooking Amman's skyline.
The hotel's website promises 'refined luxury tailored for royalty' with amenities including a full kitchen, Italian marble bathrooms, separate living and sitting areas, and an outdoor terrace. During their stay, Harry and Meghan took their meals privately within their suite, as the hotel's top-floor Zenith restaurant remained closed for Ramadan.
Notable Absences and Protocol Questions
Despite the luxurious accommodation, the Sussexes' visit lacked meetings with senior Jordanian royal family members. Neither King Abdullah II nor Crown Prince Hussein met with the couple during their 48-hour visit, instead hosting the Indonesian president who arrived simultaneously. The Duke and Duchess did meet with minor royal family members including Princess Basma Bint Talal and Princess Ghida Talal during charity visits.
The British Government maintained distance from the trip, with sources confirming the UK government was not involved in arranging or facilitating the programme. British Ambassador Phillip Hall hosted the Sussexes but reportedly did not extend a personal invitation to his Iftar reception, with the invitation instead coming through WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Political Dimensions and Criticism
Former Conservative minister Tim Loughton, currently campaigning to become mayor of Sussex, criticised the ambassador's involvement as 'entirely inappropriate'. He argued that as private citizens who have quit royal duties, the couple should not receive official platforms that might imply they represent UK policy.
During their visit, Harry and Meghan engaged in various humanitarian activities including meetings at refugee camps and hospitals, where they met young Palestinian refugees injured in Gaza. Prince Harry used a Channel 4 News interview to call for food and aid corridors to be opened for Palestinians, while both left encouraging notes for recovering addicts at a rehabilitation centre.
Production Team Presence and Future Projects
Throughout their tour, the couple were accompanied by a Jordanian production team from AE films, specialists in short documentaries and media management. This has sparked speculation about potential future documentary projects following their Netflix series, though no official confirmation has been provided regarding the footage captured during this visit.
The Sussexes' entourage included several staff members staying in additional rooms costing approximately £300 per night, with total expenses for the trip estimated to exceed £100,000 including flights and security arrangements. The couple reportedly covered these costs themselves during their visit arranged by the World Health Organisation.
