An Express columnist has reacted with fury to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to Nottingham on Thursday, describing it as a deliberate attempt to overshadow King Charles and corner the monarch.
Writing in an opinion piece, Adam Toms said people whooped as the couple stepped out of their blacked-out four-by-four in the city. He questioned why they received such a reception, noting they are now "everyday private citizens going about their business".
Accusations of a power move
Toms argued the visit was always going to happen and accused the Sussexes of pretending to be important royals, completely overshadowing the King, who had his own engagement opening the Senedd. He said the late Queen Elizabeth II would be "turning in her grave".
The columnist said the visit should be seen as a power move from Harry and Meghan, an attempt to corner the monarch after the publishing of a letter outlining his view that the couple are still not working members of the firm, despite having moved back to Britain.
During the visit, Meghan told people gathered to see her: "It's great to be back." Toms dismissed the remark, suggesting she had hated the UK only several years ago and was only sorry her escapade to America had not gone as planned.
Warning over public reaction
Toms warned the couple had returned seeking to "wreak havoc" but said the British public would not wear it, seeing through their power plays. He described the motivation behind the visit as more sinister than the smiles suggested, and called the lack of respect for Harry's grandmother "astounding" and something that should disturb every sensible Brit.
He noted that the late Queen explicitly forbade Harry and Meghan from acting like "plastic royals" when they left their roles in the core team in January 2020.
Future under William
The columnist expressed confidence that the couple will get their comeuppance, predicting that when Prince William becomes king, he will make sure the Sussexes are "put back in their box". He described William as the future of the monarchy, not his "moaning younger sibling".
Toms suggested William might already be working behind the scenes to combat Harry and Meghan's apparent "half-in, half-out" strategy, and said their titles, at least, should have been removed long ago.
He concluded that the situation is a sad affair, noting that Thursday's visit once again proved Harry and Meghan would have been an invaluable asset to the Royal Family, as they are good at public appearances. They could have been another string to the Crown's bow, he said, but instead they have turned out to be thorns in its side.
