Harry and Meghan slammed over ‘staggering’ move ahead of UK trip | Royal | News
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming visit to the UK is “a disaster no matter what,” according to a royal expert. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will reportedly travel to England with their children this month, despite concerns about how they will be protected and confusion about where they will stay.
But according to commentator and journalist Bronte Coy, back-and-forth briefings on details of the trip and long-form broadcasts have already ruined any potential reunion with the Royal Family. Ms Coy told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast: “Circus is the perfect word for it… at a time when this reputable rehab is openly encouraged in Britain and everything was planned out a few weeks ago… it’s surprising to me that it fell apart so quickly and disastrously.”
He added: “Whatever happens now, I still believe they will come… it’s a disaster. Harry is playing right into the hands of his biggest critics. All he’s accused of is emotional blackmail, setting up a circus around them.” [and] Everything has to be very dramatic, it’s a soap opera… whether you believe it or not, that’s exactly what it looks like.”
Harry had planned for Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to join him on his five-day trip to celebrate the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
But the duke began rethinking the move last week when he learned his family’s UK-based security had not been reviewed by the Risk Management Board (RMB).
A spokesperson for Sussex said: “The Duke continues to explore every option available to ensure the visit proceeds safely and gives his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK.”
Seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet are not expected to attend any public events, but Meghan is scheduled to join her husband on visits to Chelsea Royal Hospital in London and an Invictus event at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham.
The trip could also reunite King Charles with his youngest grandchildren for the first time in four years; The prince and princess last met with Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. He may visit England during Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Charles has reportedly offered the family accommodation at the royal residence, but the Royal Family has yet to receive confirmation of acceptance.
Harry’s spokesman added: “Prince Harry’s program in the UK includes both public and private activities across the country. Safe accommodation is just one element of an effective preventive security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
“The issue was never the accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security was provided for the entirety of the visit.”
The independent Risk Management Board that Ravec himself decided was necessary last November has still not been established. It is therefore difficult to see how the proportionality of existing regulations can be reliably maintained without this independent assessment.”
