It’s been more than two years since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they’d be stepping back from their duties. They’re no longer working royals within the British royal family. And, in that time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven’t returned to the U.K. together. Now, amid talk of a potential 2022 U.K. trip, a royal commentator is calling them “difficult guests” for Queen Elizabeth II.
Nearly two years have passed since Harry and Meghan were on U.K. soil arm in arm. After announcing their decision to step back in January 2020, they carried out their last engagements.
Meghan and Harry made headlines smiling in the rain in March 2020. Then, just days later, they made headlines again.
As reports of supposed tension among them and the rest of the royal family swirled they attended their final engagement. Harry and Meghan went to Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey alongside Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Kate Middleton, Prince William, and more.
While Meghan hasn’t been back to the U.K. since March 2020, Harry’s returned on two occasions. The Duke of Sussex traveled from his and Meghan’s home in Montecito, California, to England for Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021. Harry returned home once again in July 2021 to unveil a statue of Princess Diana with William.
Per the U.K.’s Express, royal commentator Richard Eden spoke with Palace Confidential’s Jo Elvin and royal expert Kate Mansey about a potential U.K. visit.
“It’s clear that the pressure is on Harry to make a return visit to the U.K.,” Elvin said to which Eden replied, “Well, I think the pressure would come from himself as well.”
“I mean, as Kate says they need to keep up that royal link. And that’s what gives them the attraction and appeal in America,” Eden added.
The royal commentator continued, saying Harry and Meghan’s supposed desire to return to the U.K. may be connected to their eight-month-old daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
“I’m sure Harry, and maybe Meghan less so, but they do want to come back to Britain. And I mentioned last week about the christening, you know Lilibet’s christening,” he said. “They want a royal christening for her. And that’s the sort of thing that keeps that royal brand up. But what are the practicalities? Where would they stay? What protection will they get? It’s just become so complicated, hasn’t it?”
He went on to call it “such a headache.” “The last thing the Queen wants in this, what’s meant to be a joyful year is headaches worrying about these difficult guests,” he said, referring to Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee.
In January 2022, Harry claimed he and his family can’t return to the U.K. for safety reasons. As a result, he’s asked the U.K. government to rethink its stance on him not being able to privately fund police protection. Currently, Harry and Meghan pay for security services.
So what will they do? Not visit the U.K. again until they get police protection? As Mirror reported in January 2022, Harry’s father supposedly invited him, Meghan, and their two kids to stay with him the next time they visit.