Prince Harry appears desperate for King Charles to give him an official royal role as he "can't let go" of his past, a royal expert has suggested. Richard Kay was commenting on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's recent trip to Australia, which some experts likened to an official royal overseas visit.
Expert Analysis of Australia Trip
He told the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential podcast: "It's very interesting, isn't it? Let's take that most recent trip to Australia... It was a commercial visit. They were flogging the clothes the Duchess was wearing and access to her."
Mr Kay said Harry's job during the trip was to remind people they were royal, with the Sussexes adding to the trip things which would be included in a "normal" royal tour, such as wreath-laying. He added: "He made his big escape and yet he can't let go of what his life was all about. I think he would love to have some sort of semi-official role again if that at all possible. I don't personally think it is."
Commercial vs. Royal Elements
The royal expert noted it was "very odd" how the Duke and Duchess try to validate themselves by showing they can still do "the royal stuff" while engaged in "naked moneymaking". Before the exit deal between the Sussexes and the Palace was struck, Harry and Meghan said they wanted their financial independence. The pair said they also wanted to continue to support the now late Queen. While Harry and Meghan secured the independence they sought, they had to give up supporting the monarch.
During their recent trip Down Under, the Sussexes' itinerary included meeting veterans and their families, serving food at a homeless centre and a visit to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital. It also included two ticketed events, with Harry delivering a speech at a conference in the same city and Meghan appearing at a luxury "girls' weekend" wellness event in Sydney. Tickets for that cost up to £1,675 (AUS$3,199).
Official Statement from Sussexes
In a statement issued before the trip, the Sussexes said their focus was on mental health, community resilience and support for veterans. The "private meetings" and "special projects" aimed to support their "broader commercial, charitable and community objectives", according to the statement. It also added: "The programme is rooted in long-standing areas of work for the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying organisations delivering measurable impact. The visit prioritises listening, learning and supporting communities rather than promotion."
