‘It will be hell’- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle deal brutal blow to Princess Kate
Princess Kate could face an increasingly difficult royal year as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain threatens to dominate attention around the monarchy, according to royal commentators.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved back to the UK last month after six years in California, bringing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with them.
Their return has already triggered fresh tension after King Charles issued guidance confirming that Harry and Meghan remain non-working royals and should be treated as private citizens.
The Sussexes were reportedly surprised by the statement and said they had not been properly informed in advance.
Now, with Harry preparing a series of public appearances and Meghan also said to be interested in continuing charitable work, some royal experts believe their presence could create an unwanted distraction for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Royal commentator Daniela Elser went as far as warning that Kate’s upcoming working year could become “hell”.
Sussexes Could Compete for Attention
Writing for News.com.au, Elser argued that Harry and Meghan do not appear ready to keep a low profile following their return.
She suggested the couple are unlikely to simply settle quietly into private life and instead appear prepared to remain highly visible through charity work and public engagements.
“For Kate, what are the chances of Harry and Meghan’s off-brand royalling not stealing all the available thunder?” Elser wrote.
Her comments are opinion rather than any confirmed indication of how Kate herself feels about the Sussexes’ return.
However, they reflect growing concern among royal commentators that the timing of Harry and Meghan’s appearances could overlap with official engagements carried out by William and Kate.
Harry has already been linked with several public events in Britain, while reports suggest Meghan is keen to continue supporting charitable causes of her own.
That comes just as senior members of the Royal Family return from their summer break and begin another busy period of engagements.
William Could Face the Same Problem
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers has also warned that Prince William could find himself drawn into an unwanted comparison with his brother.
He argued that whenever Harry and William carry out separate engagements in Britain at around the same time, the public and media may automatically interpret the situation as a competition.
“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 acknowledged that this may happen even if Harry has no intention of competing with his brother.
The result, he argued, is distraction.
He suggested Harry and Meghan may be trying to rebuild their public profile following their return to Britain, but warned that frequent appearances could create the impression of a parallel royal operation.
“If they intend to be public figures and carry out more of these appearances, they will inevitably be in competition with the Royal Family,” he said.
Vickers described that possibility as effectively creating an “alternative court”, something he believes would not be a positive development for the monarchy.
Palace Has Already Drawn a Clear Line
King Charles’ recent clarification appears designed to prevent exactly that kind of confusion.
The Palace made clear that Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain has not changed the arrangement established when they stepped away from royal duties in 2020.
They remain members of the Royal Family, but they do not formally represent the monarch.
That distinction is likely to become increasingly important if Harry and Meghan continue making high-profile public appearances.
For Kate, the issue is not necessarily direct conflict with the Sussexes, but competition for attention during a period when she and William are expected to carry out major engagements of their own.
The Princess of Wales has gradually resumed more public duties, making scrutiny around her appearances especially intense.
The idea that Harry and Meghan could dominate headlines at the same time is therefore being viewed by some commentators as an added complication.
For now, there is no evidence that Kate herself sees the Sussexes’ return as a “nightmare” or believes they are deliberately trying to overshadow her.
But with Harry and Meghan back in Britain, public engagements planned and royal tensions already running high, one thing appears certain: every appearance by either side is likely to be compared.
And that means the royal feud may continue to shape the headlines long after the Sussexes’ return itself has stopped being new.
