Prince Harry's recent snub from trooping the color, the annual birthday celebration for the monarch, has further strained his relationship with the royal family. Living in California and no longer working members of the royal family, Harry and Meghan Markle have not been invited to trooping the color for two consecutive years. Despite attending the event in previous years, their absence in 2022 and 2023 suggests that the tensions are far from resolved.
Harry's visits to the UK have been brief, indicating that he may have no plans to return to the royal fold. He visited in May 2024 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Invictus Games but did not meet with the king during his stay. Earlier, in February, he made a quick trip to be with his father, Prince Charles, after news of the king's cancer diagnosis. These visits, coupled with Harry's tell-all interviews and the forthcoming memoir, suggest that he is distancing himself from the royal family.
The tensions between Harry and Meghan and the royal family are most evident in their strained relationship with Prince William and Kate. While Harry desires a reconciliation with his brother for the sake of their children, he and Meghan believe that an apology should come from William and Kate first. However, it seems unlikely that such an apology will materialize. The tensions between the two couples have been a focal point of speculation and media coverage for years.
Separating Harry from his royal identity is challenging, as he has been in the public eye since birth. Despite their non-working royal status, Harry and Meghan's overseas trips present logistical challenges. Their visit to Nigeria in 2024, aimed at promoting the Invictus Games, required careful consideration of protocols and security measures, given their changed status. However, the couple remains deeply connected to Africa and expressed their fondness for Nigeria, hinting at future returns.
In summary, Prince Harry's ongoing feud with the royal family, as evidenced by his exclusion from trooping the color and strained relationships, suggests that he may be distancing himself further from his royal ties. While his exact plans and intentions remain uncertain, Harry's actions and public statements indicate a desire for a different path outside the royal family.