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A royal commentator has delivered a sarcastic response to growing speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could one day become leaders of the Commonwealth, dismissing the suggestion as almost impossible to believe. The rumours reportedly emerged during the recent Commonwealth leaders' summit in Antigua, where conversations about the organisation's future leadership allegedly included the names of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Even more surprisingly, there were suggestions that Prince William had little enthusiasm for taking on the position himself. However, one royal columnist responded with a short but unmistakably British expression of disbelief. Yet behind this unusual story lies a much bigger question: who actually decides who leads the Commonwealth, and could someone outside the monarchy ever be chosen? Interestingly, William addressed this very issue four years ago, giving an answer that remains particularly relevant today.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, royal correspondent Richard Eden highlighted a claim published by the satirical magazine Private Eye. According to the publication, discussions in Antigua had included speculation that Harry, Meghan, or perhaps both could eventually be considered for the prestigious position. Eden introduced the suggestion using Private Eye's familiar sarcastic expression, "Shome mistake, surely," implying that the entire idea was difficult to take seriously. He then pointed out two important facts that appear to undermine the rumour. King Charles became head of the Commonwealth following his mother's death, but the position is not automatically inherited. Private Eye also suggested that the Sussexes had attracted considerable support in certain Commonwealth countries approximately five years ago, particularly after Meghan spoke about alleged discrimination within the royal family. Meanwhile, William was supposedly viewed as someone with limited interest in succeeding his father in the position.
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The timing of these rumours is also interesting. King Charles had recently completed a nine-day Caribbean tour, travelling between October 27 and November 4, with his final destination being Antigua and Barbuda. The visit coincided with discussions involving Commonwealth leaders, placing questions about the organisation's future directly alongside the king's royal engagements. But before accepting any speculation about potential successors, it is important to understand what the Commonwealth represents and how its leadership works.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association consisting of 56 independent countries, representing more than 2.5 billion people worldwide. Although many of its members were once territories of the British Empire, the organisation is no longer simply an extension of Britain's former colonial system. Some member countries continue to recognise the British monarch as their head of state, while others are independent republics or have their own royal families. The head of the Commonwealth holds a largely symbolic position without direct political authority, but the role carries enormous historical significance and international influence.
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Queen Elizabeth II held this position throughout her 70-year reign, considering it one of the most meaningful responsibilities of her life. However, when the question of succession emerged, it was never simply a matter of passing the title from mother to son. During a Commonwealth leaders' meeting in London in April 2018, the member countries agreed that Prince Charles would eventually succeed his mother. The Queen had personally expressed her sincere wish that he should take over the responsibility. Consequently, when Elizabeth died in 2022, Charles became head of the Commonwealth because its member governments had agreed to his appointment, not because the position automatically belonged to him as the new monarch.
This distinction explains why Eden considered the latest Sussex rumours so extraordinary. Becoming head of the Commonwealth requires the support of its member countries. It is not an appointment that can be secured through private conversations, public popularity or speculation at an international summit.
There was, however, a period when Harry and Meghan held important Commonwealth responsibilities. In April 2018, Queen Elizabeth appointed Harry as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. The couple also became president and vice president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, an organisation dedicated to supporting young people and developing future leaders across member countries.
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Their involvement continued even after they announced their decision to step away from royal duties. In July 2020, they participated in a video discussion with young leaders connected to the trust. During that conversation, Harry argued that the Commonwealth could not progress without honestly confronting its history. Meghan added that people needed to become comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. Their comments generated considerable debate in Britain. Some people welcomed their willingness to address difficult historical issues, while others questioned whether they should continue speaking in an official capacity after leaving royal life.
By February 2021, Buckingham Palace had confirmed that the Sussexes would not return as working members of the royal family. Their positions connected to the Queen's Commonwealth Trust were subsequently handed back. More recently, correspondence issued on behalf of King Charles has referred to Harry and Meghan simply as private citizens, reinforcing the fact that they no longer hold official Commonwealth responsibilities.
But what about Prince William? Does he genuinely have no interest in becoming the organisation's future leader? His actions suggest a more complicated picture. In March 2022, William and Catherine travelled through Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Their Caribbean tour was not without difficulties, particularly because protests and conversations about colonial history placed uncomfortable questions before the visiting royals. In Jamaica, the country's prime minister openly explained that his government intended to pursue full independence from the monarchy.
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William did not ignore the historical concerns. During the visit, he described slavery as abhorrent and acknowledged that it should never have happened. At the conclusion of the tour, he released a personal statement containing an important response to questions about the Commonwealth's future leadership.
William explained that deciding whom the Commonwealth would choose to lead its family in the future was not what occupied his thoughts. Instead, he was concerned about the organisation's potential to build a better future for the people living across its member countries. That statement is particularly revealing. He neither demanded the position nor announced that he would refuse it. Instead, he recognised that the decision belonged to the Commonwealth itself.
His engagement with member countries has continued. William and Catherine have maintained their involvement in international initiatives, while their family has also supported Commonwealth sporting activities. William's upcoming visit to Mumbai from November 16 to 18 for the Earthshot Prize will provide another opportunity to connect with one of the organisation's most important members. India alone accounts for more than half of the Commonwealth's population.
Catherine also has an extensive history of international engagements. Her first official overseas tour with William was to Canada in 2011. Their later visits included Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan. These journeys demonstrate that the Prince and Princess of Wales have maintained a substantial connection with Commonwealth countries over the years.
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