Since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle took a step back from their royal roles in January 2020, the couple have considered what comes next. Queen Elizabeth was firm, saying they could not have one foot in and one foot out as working royals.
Harry and Meghan pushed back at the time, saying they could still “live a life of service.” This has been their path moving forward, as they continue involvement in charitable work.
Prince Harry and Meghan must deal with the past AND future
People reports that Harry and Meghan are following their own trajectory when it comes to their charity work.
On an Ukraine visit April 24, Harry was questioned on whether the label “not working royal” was accurate, according to People. He responded, “No, I will always be part of the royal family … I am here working, doing the things I was born to do.”
Their Australia visit this month mimicked a typical official royal visit. Harry and Meghan visited hospitals, attended moments of remembrance, among other engagements.
Some sense a contentious air about their motives. “They are pushing the envelope and making it much more difficult for reconciliation to happen,” says Sally Bedell Smith, author of the Royals Extra Substack.
In a departure from a standard royal engagement, Harry spoke at Ukraine’s Kyiv Security Forum, according to People, asking for “American leadership.” He stressed that he was not speaking as a politician but rather as a humanitarian and soldier. This visit came days prior to King Charles’ U.S. state visit, with no reunion of father and son included.
Both the Australia and Ukraine trips are telling in how Harry and Meghan will move forward. According to Valentine Low, author of Courtiers, “The monarchy is meant to be above politics and commercial imperatives. This is exactly what the late Queen wanted to avoid.”
However, a source close to Harry says, “This idea that he’s going against the wishes of the Queen by being half in, half out is nonsense. None of this is being done in the name of the institution.”
TELL US – ARE HARRY AND MEGHAN STEPPING ON ROYAL TOES?
