King Charles Seemingly Reminds Harry and Meghan Who’s in Charge With Power Move at the Capitol
King Charles made a pointed assertion of his role in Australia, days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wrapped up their trip.
On April 28, King Charles delivered a historic address to Congress as part of his four-day US state visit. While his message on protecting democracy and the environment resonated widely, he also sneaked in a pointed assertion of his role in Australia. He noted that he would always remain the sovereign there, just days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wrapped up their visit there, a remark that felt less like a formality and more like a reminder of who still holds the Crown Down Under.
Speaking about the AUKUS alliance, the monarch noted that Australia was "a country of which I am also immensely proud to serve as Sovereign," a line that many interpreted as a subtle dig at Harry and Markle, who undertook their four-day visit from April 14 to April 17. Despite no longer serving as working royals, the Sussexes' trip was widely interpreted as a desperate attempt to relive their past royal lives. Royal observers felt that Charles's layered message was a subtle reminder of legitimacy and hierarchy, a befitting reply to Harry and Markle's attempts to position themselves as working royals without the Palace's support.
This revelation also comes amid reports that Buckingham Palace adopted a new strategy in response to Harry and Markle's 'faux royal tours,' and their attempts to replicate their past duties. On his Substack, Naughty But Nice, royal columnist Rob Shuter quoted an insider who alleged, "They [the Palace] used to get upset — really upset. Now? It barely registers...The idea that they [Harry and Markle] could bring down the House of Windsor is wildly overblown. They're not that powerful — and, inside Palace thinking, not that relevant anymore." In fact, senior royals are now allegedly allowing the Sussexes' tours to speak for themselves and letting the public be their judge.
While various reports had claimed that the Palace was fuming over the couple's attempt to appear royal, things have supposedly changed. The source argued, "They [the Palace] can't be bothered. It's not worth the energy. Real royals carry on. They do the work, keep calm, and don't chase attention. That's the difference — and people see it." Indeed, despite the majority of Australians' cold view of the regressive monarchial system, Charles shows that he is not going anywhere soon, relentless in his effort to mend relations with the Commonwealth nation.
Interestingly, Charles quickly changed gears during his speech at the state banquet dinner, this time, taking Harry's side on an important issue. Weeks earlier, the Duke of Sussex told a room of leaders that the US carried a specific responsibility — "not only because of its power, but because when Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, America was part of the assurance that Ukraine's sovereignty and borders would be respected." His father echoed the same sentiments, saying, "Today, Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people."
