Meghan Markle has made a "wise" decision over Prince Harry's tense trip back to the UK this week - and it's all part of a "game plan for Royal redemption", an expert has said.
The former Suits actress and Duchess of Sussex's upcoming trip to Nigeria with her husband Prince Harry might just be a strategic move, especially after King Charles has reportedly "snubbed" Harry during his ongoing UK visit, Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams tells The Mirror. Harry has this week landed in the UK for the tenth annual Invictus Games, sparking rumours of a possible reconciliation with King Charles. However, it emerged that there would be no Royal rendezvous, with the King's packed schedule blamed for the missed connection.
And while Mr Fitzwilliams suggested that this absence will be perceived as a "snub", he revealed that Harry and Meghan have crafted a strategy to navigate this "setback." He said: "Meghan has wisely decided that a hostile press and public would prefer her to stay away from the Service at St Paul's to commemorate a decade of Invictus. Their visit to Nigeria is a cover for what is a setback."
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Meghan won't be accompanying Harry in the UK but will join him for their upcoming journey to Nigeria. The couple plans to engage with Service members and immerse themselves in local cultural events there. Mr Fitzwilliams commented that, despite having a plan to mend fences, the sting of the snub from Harry's father remains significant. "This will be seen as a snub. There is little doubt that this was not arranged as it should have been as King Charles has always made it clear that his door is open to Harry," he added.
The last time Harry and Charles have seen each other was when Charles was diagnosed with cancer and Harry quickly flew out to see him. Mr Fitzwilliams said: "Their meeting after the King's diagnosis was extremely brief and we do not know how well it went."
Despite Charles' condition, Mr Fitzwilliams claims he understands the impact of this decision will be significant. He said: "The King has engagements and duties he needs to perform and has to balance these with treatment for cancer that must be deeply debilitating. The fact that they will not be meeting will, as all things affecting the royal family will, be worldwide news. If the royal rift is ever to be healed it will be when matters are less public and can be considered privately and less stressfully."
As for Harry's brother, Prince William, Mr Fitzwilliams had predicted that the chance of them meeting was even slimmer. "There was never a chance of him seeing William, who does not trust him, and with good reason," he said.
However, while there are plenty of obstacles, experienced royal writer Mr Fitzwilliams does believe there is a path to redemption for Harry and Meghan. He revealed: "If they were to mention the Commonwealth, of which it is a member, in a favourable light in a speech, this would be positive. They trashed the institution, Queen Elizabeth's most important legacy, in their documentary Harry and Meghan. This was not well received as, when they were senior working royals, they were Commonwealth patronages by the late Queen."