Great ‘irony’ of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit laid bare on latest tour

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to Nigeria appeared to contradict a path originally being carved out by the Duke of Sussex, according to a royal commentator.

By Brigid Brown, Royal Reporter based in New York City

21:54, Wed, Jun 5, 2024 | UPDATED: 22:11, Wed, Jun 5, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blasted over Nigeria trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fought tooth and nail to detach from the Royal Family and now they’re fighting just as hard to be seen as royals, according to commentators.

Prior to moving to the US in 2020, the Sussexes met with members of the Royal Family at Sandringham House to discuss their roles as senior working royals and unsuccessfully tried to negotiate their way into the fold part-time — half in, half out.

Jane Barr wrote about the perceived change of heart in the latest instalment of her From Berkshire to Buckingham newsletter, describing how Harry and Meghan embraced their quiet suburban life in Montecito, California, apple orchard and all, but then returned to “playing royals.”

Ms Barr said: “Ironically, Harry clung to his ‘I am not a royal’ act for about a year, and then the couple did an about face and went back to being as royal as they possibly could be.”

Referring to their three-day trip to Nigeria this past May, she added: “This tour being the latest and greatest of those efforts.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nigeria as part of Invictus Games Anniversary celebrations

The trip was meant to promote the Invictus Games with Nigeria considering being a host nation (Image: Getty)

Harry and Meghan are members of the Royal Family and retain their royal titles, though they do not carry out senior duties.

When making visits to foreign countries, Harry and Meghan are traveling as private citizens, and do not represent the monarchy, though commentators say these trips bear the markers of royal ceremony.

Ms Barr continued: “I expected this tour to feel very much like a royal one, but I did not expect it to straight up be a royal tour untethered from any relationship to the monarchy.”

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Visit Nigeria - Day 3

The three-day visit ended with some polo (Image: Getty)

Harry said the Nigeria visit was about the Invictus Games, but Ms Barr says it also sent another message: "We are still royals with or without the Royal Family."

She added: "Harry and Meghan can play at being royals, but they simply cannot compete with the real deal, and the result is a spectacle that entertains the watching world, delights students of human nature and history, and leaves the Sussexes looking hollow and wholly open to ridicule."