Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly taking a break from public life, a U-turn from their first engagements since returning to Britain. The Duke and Duchess have been in the headlines since moving back to the UK in late August and appeared at a quasi-Royal event in Nottingham earlier this month, shaking hands and taking selfies with fans.
However, they have faced some criticism because their Midlands visit fell on the same day as King Charles ceremonially opened the Welsh Parliament. It now appears the couple, with Meghan confirmed as the new host of Junior Masterchef Australia on Tuesday, will take a temporary step back from public life, reports The Times.
Insider Comments on Timing
“Harry doesn’t set out with an intention to try to pull focus or draw attention away from what his father is doing or what his brother is doing,” an insider told the newspaper. “Obviously with the King going to [the Caribbean] and the Prince and Princess of Wales going to India, he knows about those things and he is obviously mindful of that as he’s planning his own activities as well.”
It is thought the Sussexes will spend the half-term holidays with Archie and Lilibet while Charles performs Royal duties on a nine-day Caribbean tour. Prince William and Princess Catherine are also due to head to India next month for the Earthshot Prize.
King Charles' Caribbean Tour
Charles’ Caribbean tour has been called his most difficult engagement in his four-year reign amid mounting calls for an apology from His Majesty for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. The Labour government has again ruled out paying reparations for the historic practice.
However, the King has not turned away from the issue. In a speech in the Bahamas on Wednesday, he said: “It is only right we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past, in these islands and beyond. Even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.”
It has been reported diary clashes between the Sussexes and the Palace were caused by their offices not sharing enough information of their respective diaries, and was done accidentally, rather than being a slight on either party.
