How humiliated Meghan Markle navigated Harry's nightmare UK visit
Meghan Markle stayed largely in the background while security and accommodation setbacks turned Prince Harry's UK trip into what royal author Russell Myers called a "nightmare." A source told People she would have felt "humiliated" watching Harry's public dispute with the royal institution unfold. Here is how humiliated Meghan Markle navigated the week that did not go as the Sussexes planned.
Key Takeaways
- Security and accommodation issues forced Meghan Markle, 44, and children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to spend less time in the UK with Harry than planned.
- A Sussex source told People Markle would have felt "humiliated" watching Harry's dispute with the royal institution play out publicly.
- Markle and the kids did join Harry for a reunion with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House.
- Harry traveled mostly solo after the Sussexes were denied taxpayer-funded security and Buckingham Palace withdrew a royal residence stay offer.
- Despite the family meeting, Harry did not reunite with estranged brother Prince William during the visit.
Why did Meghan Markle's UK trip turn into a 'nightmare'?
Prince Harry's trip to the United Kingdom did not go Meghan Markle's way. Royal author Russell Myers confirmed to People that the visit "turned into a nightmare" due to security issues that forced Markle and her kids to spend less time abroad with Harry than they intended.
The Sussexes' trip did not go as planned for a myriad of reasons, including security and accommodation issues, Page Six reported. Since the couple was denied taxpayer-funded security and Buckingham Palace withdrew the offer to let them stay at a royal residence, Harry was solo for most of the one-week visit tied to the 2027 Invictus Games countdown in Birmingham, England.
How did Meghan Markle handle the public royal fallout?
A source who knows the Sussexes told People Markle would have felt "humiliated" watching the public dispute between Harry, 41, and the royal institution unfold. Another source said the "Suits" alum "is very supportive" of Harry but that "there's a lot of sadness" over how the trip turned out.
Meanwhile, a different insider claimed Markle "always lets [Harry] lead" when it comes to dealing with his family. Overall, Myers told the outlet the outcome "was further evidence of the fractiousness of Harry's relationship with the institution." For more on the Sussexes and the wider royal drama, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Did Meghan Markle and the children reunite with King Charles?
Markle and her kids did join Harry for their reunion with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House last Friday. Charles, 77, had not seen his grandchildren — who live in California with Harry and Markle — since 2022 when they attended Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
"It is better that people don't know anything about these meetings," a source told People. "They should be allowed to rekindle those family ties." A separate source claimed that if the security situation had been "resolved, there would be so much more certainty every time" Harry goes to the UK.
What else went wrong during Prince Harry's UK visit?
Along with the security and accommodation issues, Harry found out he lost his $67 million court battle against a UK tabloid while he was across the pond. "The court case was a massive defeat for Harry," royal author Simon Vigar told People.
Harry, who had sued Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers for breach of privacy, called the legal decision "a complete and obvious whitewash" in a statement to Page Six. Despite seeing Charles, Harry did not meet up with estranged brother Prince William in the UK.
"It's so broken," an insider said about the siblings' relationship, as another source added that there's "been no movement, especially on William's side." Royal expert Kinsey Schofield told Page Six that William understands Charles' decision to meet with Harry "even if he wouldn't have done it himself," adding that "a father living with cancer wants to see his son and grandchildren."
Harry and Markle quit their royal duties in 2020, after which they criticized his family in their 2021 Oprah sit-down and 2022 Netflix series. The couple has no plans to return to the royal family.