The News
Harry and Meghan’s Royal Comeback?
Princess Anne Says Not So Fast
In a twist of royal drama, discussions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle potentially returning to royal duties have hit a snag, thanks to Princess Anne's candid perspective.
The couple, who stepped down as senior royals in early 2020, traded their royal responsibilities for a life of independence in California.
Since then, whispers of a possible return have circulated, but Anne's recent comments suggest that such a comeback might not be as straightforward as Harry and Meghan hope.
To rewind a bit, when Harry and Meghan made their shocking announcement in early 2020, they envisioned a new, progressive role that would allow them to split their time between North America and the UK.
Yet, the Queen quickly shut down that idea, emphasizing that they had to choose between being all in or out.
Consequently, the couple relinquished their HRH titles, severed most royal ties, and embarked on lucrative ventures with Netflix and Spotify.
Despite their current status as non-working royals, both Harry and Meghan have expressed some regrets about how things unfolded.
In various interviews, they've hinted at wanting to revisit their arrangements.
Their explosive chat with Oprah Winfrey last year revealed that they wouldn't dismiss the idea of returning to royal duties if offered an olive branch.
Recently, speculation arose that Harry hoped to reclaim his honorary military titles, lost during the Megxit fallout, and that he and Meghan were angling for a more significant role during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
However, Princess Anne, known for her straightforward and practical demeanor, seems to believe that returning to royal duties isn't a simple matter of desire.
Anne, having dedicated decades to her role as a full-time working royal, feels strongly that one cannot cherry-pick aspects of royal life without embracing the full responsibilities that come with it.
She argues that being a senior royal is not a part-time gig and believes Harry needs to honor the commitments he made when he chose his path in America.
The 72-year-old princess has voiced concerns about the fairness of Harry and Meghan wanting to opt out of royal service while still seeking opportunities that align with their royal heritage.
In her eyes, this blurring of lines undermines the integrity of their decision to pursue independent careers.
From Anne's perspective, Harry's military title should only be restored if he commits to residing primarily in the UK and serving the royal family full-time.
She remains skeptical about the notion of them dipping in and out of royal duties at will while simultaneously pursuing commercial careers abroad.
Beyond the practical implications of their requests, Anne appears to feel a sense of protectiveness over the Queen and the royal institution.
She perceives mixed messages from Harry and Meghan regarding their status, which adds to her skepticism.
Unlike other royals, such as Prince Charles or Prince William, who have publicly engaged in family disputes, Anne has maintained a low profile.
Her experience as a senior royal for over 50 years gives her a unique insight into the sustainability of Harry's aspirations for a flexible royal role.
Some may argue that Anne's stance seems rigid, especially when considering other family members like Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, who have successfully blended royal and private lives.
However, Anne points out key differences: Beatrice and Eugenie are further down the line of succession, giving them more leeway, and they balance their careers without relying on royal privileges.
Ultimately, Princess Anne's viewpoint is grounded in tradition and precedent rather than personal animosity.
While she has no qualms about Harry seeking happiness in America, she draws a firm line at bending the rules of royal engagement.
The future of Harry and Meghan's royal aspirations remains uncertain, with Anne standing as a formidable voice of reason in the royal family.