Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Aussie Return Could Spark Major 'Palace Regret'
Experts suggest the Sussexes' Australia tour highlights the monarchy's glaring error of letting one of its most popular faces go.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's public appeal spoke for itself when they landed in Melbourne, Australia, on April 14. Greeted by a warm, vivacious crowd outside the Royal Children's Hospital, the Duke and Duchess did what they did best—charm the crowds with humility and empathy rather than pomp and ceremony. It very well may prompt some soul-searching within the royal family, as experts believe the visit underscores what could prove to be one of the monarchy's most glaring missteps.
In an article for the Telegraph, royal editor Victoria Ward laid bare what the royal family lost after Harry and Markle's exit, and one of their biggest lapses in judgment yet. She opined, "What does Buckingham Palace make of such high-profile royal gallivanting? There will be the odd chuckle and eye roll, no doubt, but you can bet they are watching closely nonetheless." Doubling down on her take, she added, "Could the Duke and Duchess have been an asset to the royal family? Undoubtedly, yes, as this tour so far seems to indicate. A shame, then, that they [the royal family] squandered so much goodwill by trashing them [Harry and Markle] so destructively."
Indeed, as Ward suggested, the Sussexes' star power remained unblemished throughout the first day of their visit. At a time when the monarchy is trying to shed its image of pompous, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and appear more relatable, Harry and Markle have mastered that shift, effortlessly connecting with the public through authenticity and groundedness. She continued, "Rather than shouting a question about the cost to the taxpayer, a local reporter simply wanted to know what message the Duke might have for veterans," highlighting the stark contrast in the kind of scrutiny on either side.
Unsurprisingly, Ward isn't the only expert to come after the royal family with some hammer and tongs. As reported by The Daily Express, royal commentator Daniela Elser argued that Harry and Markle's trip makes "you have to wonder if it might trigger anything so much like a twinge of Palace regret over their handling of Megxit." She stressed that the visit risks becoming "the strongest, most glaring reminder of how they [the royal family] managed to let the monarchy's most photogenic trump cards slip through their pasty fingers," asserting that letting them go, rather than negotiating a 'half-in, half-out' deal, was a poor decision.
Against that backdrop, a source close to the planning front has described the visit as "a significant joint tour and could prove to be a blueprint for future tours together of this type." Meanwhile, Palace insiders are said to have their "eyes peeled and closely watching the reaction that the couple receives in Australia." Whatever the outcome may be, one thing is for sure: Harry and Markle's presence continues to resonate far beyond royal circles, somewhat validating their bombshell decision to quit the firm six years ago.
