Non-working royals could teach Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'a thing or two'
If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'hadn't walked away' from the monarchy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'would have been key figures' in this 'troubled' period for the Royal Family, an expert claims.
Prince Harry's royal cousins could teach him and Meghan Markle a thing or two about playing their part as Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall quietly keep The Firm going, a royal expert has said.
Richard Palmer's comment comes amid uncertainty as to whether or not Princess Kate will attend Trooping the Colour and King Charles is expected to watch the ceremony from a dais rather than on horseback. Kate and Charles have both been undergoing treatment for cancer, with other royals stepping in to support the royals' official work.
Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara and her husband Mike Tindall helped Prince William out at the Sovereign's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last month.
Mr Palmer, a royal correspondent with 20 years' experience, told Mail Plus: "It was a timely demonstration of how the 'other' royals can play their part.
"None of the cousins is likely ever to be a taxpayer-funded working royal, but they proved that they can step in every now and again to support the institution."
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He added: "If they hadn't walked away from the monarchy in 2020, Harry and Meghan would have been key figures in this troubled period – and others who are now front and centre might not even have a role.
"In fact, their attitude could certainly teach the Sussexes – ensconced in their California mansion – a thing or two."
The royal expert went on to identify Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as two figures who have exemplified other royals' ability to step up.
Mr Palmer said 10 years ago royal aides had told him sources in the palace suggested Edward would not play a role when Charles became king, along with Sophie and Prince Andrew.
But Edward is due to appear at Trooping the Colour as Colonel of the Scots Guards, having taken the reins from the Duke of Kent.
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Mr Palmer suggested Edward, Sophie and Princess Anne, who is often identified as the hardest working royal due to the number of official engagements she carries out, will continue to put in the hard work.
He cautioned that when William becomes king, it won't be easy to see who would join him beyond Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Harry and Meghan stepped away from their roles as working royals funded by the taxpayer in 2020, before they moved to North America.
Since then, the Sussexes have cut a number of commercial deals, with Harry continuing to spearhead the Invictus Games and Meghan recently announcing her new venture, America Riviera Orchard.
Under the terms of the couple's exit deal from the Royal Family, neither can carry out official royal duties or represent the monarch, despite reports they had wanted to do so.
Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara and Mike all work outside the Royal Family, but are believed to be popular with the public and close to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
