Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced their upcoming visit to Colombia later this year, following a recent trip to Nigeria that some pundits have referred to as a “quasi-royal tour.” This new venture has sparked speculation about whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are positioning themselves to return as working members of the British Royal Family.
A Return to Royal Duties?
The possibility of Harry and Meghan resuming their royal roles has become a subject of intrigue among royal watchers. Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, believes this could be a significant step towards their reintegration into royal duties. Harrold, speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, shared his insights:
“I think this could be one of the first steps in Meghan and Harry coming back to being working royals,” Harrold said. “It will be good to know if this has been sanctioned by the Palace or if Harry had a conversation with his father asking if he can do this.”
Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step down as senior working royals back in January 2020, stating their intent to “work to become financially independent.” They completed their final royal engagements in March of the same year and soon moved to the United States with their young son, Archie. Since then, the couple has embarked on various charitable endeavors, often sparking speculation about their future plans and relationship with the Royal Family.
Official Sanction or Independent Initiative?
The nature of their Colombian visit raises questions about whether it has received official approval from Buckingham Palace. Harrold emphasized the potential consequences if the trip is carried out without the Palace’s blessing:
“I just can’t see them doing it without some sort of approval because this would upset the monarchy if they do it off their own back, and I think there could be repercussions if they haven’t been given permission by the royal household,” he explained.
Referring to the trip as a “royal tour,” Harrold added, “If they are going to carry out a royal tour, then they are acting as working royals, so this could be an indication of them stepping back into royal life.”
Skepticism from Royal Commentators
Not everyone shares Harrold’s optimistic outlook. Royal commentator Lady Colin Campbell previously dismissed the idea of Harry and Meghan returning to official royal duties. Speaking to GB News in April, she claimed that key members of the Royal Family, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate, are not interested in re-engaging with the Sussexes in any formal capacity.
“My understanding is that not one of the four participants of whom we’ve been speaking has any interest whatsoever in ever interacting with Harry or Meghan in an official capacity ever again,” Lady Campbell said.
She further explained that any potential private reconciliation between King Charles and Harry would not translate into an official role for the couple within the monarchy.
“Even if Charles were inclined and Camilla went along with it to have some form of private rapprochement with Harry, there is no way there will be an official role for Harry or Meghan. They understand that would be drinking poison from a chalice that they could well avoid drinking from,” Lady Campbell remarked.
Future Implications
The upcoming trip to Colombia and the subsequent response from both the public and the Royal Family will likely offer further insight into the couple’s intentions. Whether this is indeed a step toward mending fences and returning to royal duties, or merely a continuation of their independent initiatives, remains to be seen.
Harry and Meghan’s path forward continues to captivate audiences worldwide, with each new development adding to the complex narrative surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their evolving relationship with the monarchy.
As the couple prepares for their Colombian visit, royal watchers and commentators will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how this latest chapter unfolds and what it may signal for the future of Harry and Meghan’s roles within the royal sphere.
