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King Charles III was reportedly "angrier than anyone has ever seen him" following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria. The trip, undertaken by invitation of the Nigerian military as part of Harry's Invictus Games initiative, has sparked significant controversy within the Royal Family. This visit, seen as unofficial and unsanctioned, has been perceived by some as an attempt by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to conduct a royal-style tour, despite their departure from royal duties in early 2020 as reported by BBC News.
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Royal author Tom Quinn, speaking to the Mirror, emphasized the extent of the displeasure within the Royal Family. He highlighted that Prince William shares his father’s frustration and is "absolutely furious," actively seeking ways to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Quinn elaborated that the trip, marked by ceremonial welcomes, receptions, and visits to schools and charities, mirrored the elements of an official royal tour, exacerbating the Royal Family's concerns.
"The Nigerians treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour," Quinn said. This perception of an unofficial royal tour has reportedly confirmed the worst fears of the Royal Family, who had been apprehensive that the Sussexes might attempt to maintain a quasi-royal profile despite their departure from official duties.
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The visit included traditional welcomes with dances and receptions, along with visits to schools and charitable organizations, mirroring the engagements typically seen in royal tours. This presentation has led to a perception that Harry and Meghan are not fully embracing their non-royal status, stirring discontent among the senior royals.
"It's as if Harry and Meghan have gone rogue," Quinn stated, adding that the trip is seen as a bold statement of their refusal to accept their current non-working royal status. This sentiment has left King Charles and Prince William contemplating how to manage what they view as a problematic situation. They see the couple's actions as an attempt to maintain their royal brand, which undermines the Royal Family's efforts to distance themselves from the Sussexes' independent activities.
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The frustration is compounded by the symbolism and the nature of the visit. Nigeria's warm reception of Harry and Meghan, which included dances, receptions, and engagements with local communities, closely resembled the protocol of official royal tours. This resemblance has fueled the Royal Family's concerns that Harry and Meghan are intentionally blurring the lines between their independent initiatives and their former royal roles.
Upon their return to the United States, where they currently reside, the couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, were reportedly staying with their maternal grandmother, Doria Ragland. This separation during the visit further underscored the independent nature of their activities, distinct from their previous roles within the Royal Family.
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The trip has reignited debates about the Sussexes' position and their future activities. It also raises questions about how the Royal Family will handle such independent actions going forward. The visit to Nigeria is seen as a significant moment, potentially setting a precedent for how the Sussexes will engage with global issues and public appearances outside the traditional royal framework.
For King Charles and Prince William, the primary concern lies in controlling the narrative and ensuring that the public differentiates between official royal duties and the independent activities of the Sussexes. The challenge now is to find a balance that allows Harry and Meghan to pursue their interests without overshadowing the Royal Family's official functions.
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