Prince William is reportedly "absolutely furious" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their recent visit to Nigeria, which has been perceived by some as an unofficial royal tour.
According to royal expert Tom Quinn, who spoke to The Mirror, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's trip to promote the Invictus Games has left both Prince William and King Charles deeply upset, with the Prince of Wales now "determined to find a way to stop this happening in future."
The Sussexes' visit to Nigeria, which included dances, receptions, and visits to schools and charities, was treated by the Nigerian hosts as if it were an official royal tour, further exacerbating the tension between the couple and the senior members of the Royal Family. Quinn suggested that there had been concerns within the family that Meghan and Harry might "try to pull a fast one," and their trip to Nigeria "has confirmed their worst fears."
"It's as if Harry and Meghan have gone rogue - their Nigeria trip is a bold statement that they refuse to accept they are no longer working royals," Quinn explained. "William and Charles are scratching their heads and thinking, 'How are we going to control this nightmare situation?'"
The royal commentator went on to highlight the similarities between the Sussexes' Nigeria visit and an official royal tour, stating, "Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there - the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry's speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don't like it one bit."
Quinn's comments suggest a growing rift between the Sussexes and the senior members of the Royal Family, with Prince William and King Charles reportedly struggling to control the situation. The expert noted that, from the perspective of the King and the Prince of Wales, it appears as though "Meghan and Harry are saying, 'We don't need your permission to be working royals - we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like.'"
The backlash against the Sussexes' Nigeria trip comes amid ongoing tensions between the couple and the Royal Family, which have been strained since their decision to step back as senior royals in 2020. The perception that Meghan and Harry are engaging in unofficial royal tours has raised concerns about the potential impact on the monarchy and the role of working royals.
As the fallout from the Nigeria visit continues, it remains to be seen how Prince William and King Charles will address the situation and whether they will take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The Sussexes' apparent willingness to engage in activities that resemble official royal engagements has the potential to further complicate their relationship with the Royal Family and fuel speculation about their long-term plans.
The controversy surrounding the Sussexes' Nigeria trip also highlights the challenges faced by the Royal Family in navigating the changing roles and expectations of its members in the modern era. As Meghan and Harry continue to forge their own path outside of the traditional royal structure, the tension between their desire for independence and the expectations of the monarchy is likely to remain a point of contention.
With Prince William reportedly "determined to find a way to stop this happening in future," the Royal Family may need to reevaluate its approach to managing the activities of non-working royals and establish clearer guidelines to prevent further confusion and conflict.
