Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Nigeria had all the makings of a royal tour, but this time it wasn’t tied to the palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited by Christopher Musa, the country’s highest-ranking military official, who they had befriended at the Invictus Games. The warm welcome they received has caught the attention of royal experts, who are fascinated by their global appeal.
Tina Brown, author of The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor-the Truth and the Turmoil, shared her thoughts on Harry and Meghan’s visit to Nigeria. Despite criticism towards Harry, Brown felt a sense of nostalgia when seeing the couple in Nigeria. She believes that they have a unique charm that resonates with the public.
According to Brown, the absence of Harry and Meghan in the monarchy is deeply felt. She expressed her disappointment that they are no longer part of the senior royal ranks, stating that there is now a “Harry-shaped hole” in the monarchy. Brown believes that if the couple’s issues with the media and palace staff had been addressed, they could have played a significant role in supporting King Charles III and Kate Middleton during challenging times. Instead, the burden falls on a few older royal family members, like Princess Anne, who receive less attention compared to Harry and Meghan.
Queen Elizabeth II rejected the idea of the Sussexes being “half in, half out” as members of the royal family when they presented the concept to her in January 2020. Following the death of the monarch in 2022, there were discussions about Charles potentially reintegrating the couple for certain royal events, unaware of the health crises that would unfold. Kristen Meinzer, co-host of Newsweek’s The Royal Report podcast, expressed her hope that Charles would consider bringing them back into the Firm as they initially desired, allowing them to work both within and outside the royal family while earning their own salaries. This approach would align with Charles’ vision of streamlining the monarchy while ensuring there are enough individuals to fulfill the required engagements of the Crown, particularly in light of Andrew’s absence, the passing of the queen and Philip, and Anne’s advancing age.
The absence of Harry and Meghan has created a noticeable void in terms of charisma within the royal family. This void not only provides ammunition for anti-monarchists to criticize the palace even further, but also highlights the fact that the couple’s goodwill is appreciated in many other parts of the world, despite the intense scrutiny they have faced in the UK.
Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s milestones since leaving the royal family.
