King Charles Isn't Thrilled That Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Are Acting Like 'Freelance Royals'

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With Prince William reportedly “furious” about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Nigeria, royal fans are probably wondering how King Charles III feels about the situation. Well, palace sources are finally spilling the tea about the monarch’s position on the Sussexes’ invitation to a country that is a part of the British Commonwealth.

One former royal staffer gave their opinion to The Daily Beast on how Charles is feeling behind closed doors. “Be in no doubt, Harry and Meghan being freelance royals is the stuff of nightmares for the Palace,” they claimed. “It’s exactly what the late Queen Elizabeth wanted to avoid.” It doesn’t sound like Harry and Meghan’s Invictus Games PR mission is a one-time situation either, because the Duke of Sussex spelled out their future to People.

“It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change,” Harry explained. “There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus, or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.” The Daily Beast insider pointed out that “Harry and Meghan have different priorities because they are no longer working royals,” but “the vast majority of the world is ignorant of such distinctions.” That means that any future international trips taken by the Sussexes could “muddy the waters” and “rival” the work that the royal family is doing. 

While it’s understandable that the palace might have some concerns about the confusing optics of Harry and Meghan’s work, it’s hard not to feel the tinge of jealousy surrounding their warm welcome in Nigeria. Tina Brown, author of The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor–the Truth and the Turmoil, spelled it all on a recent BBC appearance. “After all of the trashing of Harry this week… trying to blame him [for the rift],” she shared. “When I saw him and Meghan in Nigeria, I had a nostalgia. I felt this is what it could have been. These two, who are enormously appealing to the public and who are very good at it, were out there in Nigeria sort of looking really attractive and being appealing people.”

With the family feud showing no signs of slowing down, Harry and Meghan’s international travels will likely ramp up. Everyone wants to host the Invictus Games with the U.K. and the U.S. currently battling it out for 2027, and the palace is going to have to get used to the idea that the Sussexes’ global popularity is tough to tamp down. 

Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s milestones since leaving the royal family.