BREAKING NEWS: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s UK return could be ‘hell’ for Princess Kate
Princess Kate could face a difficult year ahead as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain threatens to create fresh tension around the Royal Family, according to royal commentators.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have moved back to the UK after six years living in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Their return has already prompted renewed debate over their position within the monarchy after King Charles issued guidance making clear that Harry and Meghan remain private citizens rather than working royals.
The Sussexes reportedly expressed surprise at the statement and said they had not been told about it in advance.
Now, with Harry preparing to make several public appearances and Meghan also expected to continue her charity work, some royal experts believe their presence could create an uncomfortable situation for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Royal commentator Daniela Elser has gone as far as suggesting Kate’s new working year could become “hell”.
Harry and Meghan Could Compete for Attention
Writing for News.com.au, Elser argued that there appears to be little indication Harry and Meghan intend to keep a low profile following their return.
“It does not appear the Sussexes have any plans to sit quietly in the shires to reclusively collect delphinium cuttings and rescue dogs,” she wrote.
Instead, Harry is expected to continue making public appearances, while The Times has reported that Meghan is interested in carrying on with charitable work of her own.
For Kate, Elser believes that could create a battle for public attention.
“For Kate, what are the chances of Harry and Meghan’s off-brand royalling not stealing all the available thunder?” she asked.
Her comments are opinion rather than any confirmed indication of Kate’s own feelings about the Sussexes’ return.
However, they reflect concerns among some royal commentators that Harry and Meghan’s appearances could repeatedly overlap with engagements carried out by senior working royals.
William Could Face the Same Problem
Prince William could also find himself dragged into comparisons with his younger brother whenever their public schedules overlap.
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers warned that even if Harry has no intention of competing with William, the two brothers’ appearances could still be presented that way.
“The awful thing is that whenever they come to this country, if Prince William is doing one thing and Prince Harry is doing another, it will be interpreted as a competition,” he said.
Vickers argued that this could become a distraction from William’s official royal work.
He added that if Harry and Meghan intend to remain highly visible public figures, their appearances may inevitably be compared with those of the working Royal Family.
“If they intend to be public figures and carry out more of these appearances, they will inevitably compete with the Royal Family,” Vickers said.
He went further, suggesting that the situation could begin to resemble an “alternative court”, something he described as an unwelcome development.
Palace Has Already Made Its Position Clear
King Charles’ recent clarification appears to have been designed to draw a clear distinction between Harry and Meghan’s private activities and official royal duties.
The couple stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 before moving to North America.
Although their return to Britain has brought them physically closer to the monarchy, it has not changed their formal position.
Harry and Meghan remain outside the group of working royals and do not officially represent the King.
The issue is likely to become more noticeable as the Royal Family returns from its summer break and senior members begin another busy period of public engagements.
For Kate, that means carrying out her own duties while media attention remains fixed on the Sussexes’ every move.
There is no evidence that the Princess of Wales personally believes Harry and Meghan’s return will make her life “hell”, and the claim remains the assessment of a commentator.
But with Harry planning appearances, Meghan reportedly pursuing charity work and tensions over their status already dominating headlines, the Sussexes’ return looks set to keep the Royal Family under intense scrutiny for some time.
