Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been told to reconsider their future in the UK after their latest social media activity sparked criticism from a former royal aide. The couple have faced renewed scrutiny following their return to Britain, with questions continuing over their security arrangements and their status within the Royal Family.
Blunt Assessment from Former Royal Press Secretary
Speaking to TalkTV presenter Jeremy Kyle, former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter delivered a blunt assessment of the Sussexes, taking aim at what he sees as an apparent contradiction in their approach to privacy. His comments came after Meghan shared a video of her children enjoying a countryside walk, shortly before she and Harry are expected to undertake a joint engagement in Nottingham.
In the Instagram Story posted on Sunday afternoon, Prince Archie, seven, rode a scooter along a tree-lined country road while his five-year-old sister, Princess Lilibet, walked beside him. Their Labrador, Pula, also appeared in the clip, which featured The Temptations' song My Girl. A herd of deer could be seen in the background. Neither Harry nor Meghan appeared in the footage.
Media Rivalry Denied
The post followed the emergence of a video showing the Princess of Wales travelling on the London Underground with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and speaking to members of the public. Jeremy suggested the contrasting clips had fuelled a perceived media rivalry between Catherine and Meghan, asking Arbiter whether a battle for public attention was under way. But Arbiter rejected the suggestion that the women were engaged in a direct contest.
"No, there is no media war. It's a war being created by the media," he said. He then questioned the Sussexes' approach to sharing family footage while raising concerns about security. "They are describing what Catherine did, going onto a London Underground with her daughter, and you saw her daughter's face, whereas with Meghan and her children, all you see is the back of their heads," he said.
Security Concerns and Taxpayer Funding
Arbiter added: "Look, if they're so concerned with security, don't tell people where you are. Don't tell people what you're doing and don't post on social media." He argued that the couple's actions appeared inconsistent with their concerns, adding: "It seems to be a double standard and hypocrisy."
Harry's ongoing efforts to secure greater protection when visiting Britain also came under fire during the interview. Arbiter questioned whether taxpayers should contribute towards security for the family, given that Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals. "It will upset a lot of people if they are forced to contribute taxpayers' money to provide security to two people, four people, who are not working royals," he said.
Direct Message to the Sussexes
He also criticised what he described as the couple's expectations after returning to the UK. "They failed in the States, they come back here and they expect everything to open up for them. Life's not like that. You don't say 'open sesame' and life falls into the pattern that you want. You've got to work hard for it." He concluded with a direct message to the Sussexes: "And my suggestion is, pack your bags, go back to America."
Harry and Meghan returned to Britain in August after six years living in the United States. They are expected to visit Nottingham together on Thursday, marking their first joint engagement since their return. The city holds particular significance for the couple, who made their first joint public appearance there after announcing their engagement in 2017. Their visit comes amid continuing questions about their position and security arrangements. Last month, a letter sent on the King's instruction reportedly described the Sussexes as "private citizens", a stance said to have surprised the couple.
