The last images of Megan and Harry together on British soil before they left the UK to start a new life in Los Angeles painted two very contrasting pictures.
One Sussex man standing tensely in Westminster Cathedral behind Kate and William, formerly known collectively as the Great Four, was a portrait of family dysfunction. The other, shining hand in hand under an umbrella in the pouring rain in front of Mansion House, a vision of freedom. And at least for their fans a reminder of what the royal family is losing.
Sussex in front of Mansion House. Photo: Samir Hussein / WireImage
This week, more than two years later, all eyes will be on 37-year-old Harry and 40-year-old Megan as they make their first official visit to the UK together since leaving.
In the following years he had an interview with Oprah, the founding of their organization Archewell, numerous lawsuits with the British press, the death of Prince Philip, the birth of their second child, Lillibet, an upcoming autobiography and Netflix and Spotify. Most recently, Harry was greeted with a reaction when he told American television on Invictus Games that he had made sure the 96-year-old queen was “protected.”
The stakes are high, but so are the potential pitfalls. Will family tensions be cured or will the separation still be visible? And how will the British public – and the British media – accept them?
The exact moment of their touchdown is not publicly known, but the first event they are expected to attend in Sussex is the fight on Thursday morning. After “careful consideration” by the Queen, they will not be present for the “moment on the balcony”, which will be reserved for working royalty.
The first opportunity to observe their relationship with Cambridge – a craze among lip-readers and body language experts – is unlikely to come until Friday, when the Sussex family is expected to attend the Queen’s Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
But for the family, the moment of the trip will probably take place behind closed doors when Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday, meets the queen – her namesake and great-grandmother – for the first time. It will also be an opportunity for her grandfather, Prince Charles, to spend time with her and her brother Archie, who is now three.
They plan to simplify it during the trip, said ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship, traveling with a limited number of security guards and their appearances will be severely restricted.
With no official engagements until Saturday night, with the Epsom Downs derby and the Buckingham Palace platinum party, an open-air concert led by Diana Ross, there has been speculation that there may be a small Lillibet’s birthday party at the Frogmore Villa. considers that the family is staying.
The Sussex family recently reportedly renewed a lease on their former home at Windsor Castle, which was occupied in their absence by Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who are said to be moving to Portugal.
While in the United States they have been greeted with great enthusiasm as charitable activists by A celebrities, the couple – particularly Megan – remain unpopular with much of the British media and have already been accused of trying to steal the Queen’s spotlight. .
Writing at The Sun this week, photographer Arthur Edwards set out to remind the couple that the Queen’s platinum anniversary celebrations “are not for your couple” and said their interview with Oprah “polarized the nation”.
But Omid Scobie, a royal commentator and co-author of Finding Freedom, responded to a similar comment, tweeting Tuesday: “Honestly, it’s insulting for the queen to assume she can be so easily overshadowed. HM has been successfully at the forefront and at the center for SEVENTY YEARS, I think it will be fine. ”
Royal photographer Samir Hussein, who took a rainy photo of the Mansion House, predicts they will have a mixed response. “There will inevitably be some negative reports and outbursts, as some are unhappy with the way they have behaved after announcing their retirement as members of the royal family,” he said. “For the most part, however, I believe that people will be happy to be back in the womb for such a historic and important holiday for the Queen.
He will also be lucky for the queen to meet her great-granddaughter for the first time, he said. “There is real hope that this will help bring the two countries closer after all that has been said in the last two years.
Jitender Sehdev, a Los Angeles-based celebrity branding expert and author, said the trip was an opportunity to redefine the way they are seen in the UK and predicted they could reintegrate into the royal family – but this time “on their own terms.” “They have firmly established themselves as one of the most fearless, unexcusable and sustainable brands in the world. And it will continue to be an inspiration to many. ”
Buckingham Palace said it “will not comment on private agreements”, and a Sussex spokesman declined to comment.
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