Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Platinum Jubilee ‘sideshow’ could ‘overshadow’ Queen, expert warns

The presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could ‘destabilise’ the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and cause resentment among other members of the Royal Family, an expert has warned. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will receive widespread publicity when they arrive in the UK with their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. 

But Palace aides will do all they can to prevent a Sussex ‘sideshow’ overshadowing the Queen, 96, and the official celebrations, explained Camilla Tominey of the Daily Telegraph.

The attention the Sussexes receive could also cause resentment among members of the family like Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne who work ‘day in, day out’ but could be overlooked by the press and public. 

‘You can include the Sussexes but you don’t want there to be some sort of Harry and Meghan sideshow going on when the main event must be the Queen,’ Tominey explained.

‘The Palace has a degree of control over Harry and Meghan while they’re in the confines of Buckingham Palace and the confines of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations official, but there’s nothing to stop them freelancing and doing their own thing while they’re in the UK. 

‘Of course, if they’re going to be seen out and about with their children, it’s going to generate publicity.’

The Sussexes are expected to take part in elements of the festivities but will not join the Queen and senior royals including Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Buckingham Palace balcony following Trooping the Colour. Pictured, the Queen with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2018

She continued: ‘Equally, there will be other members of the Royal Family who are doing the daily grind who will resent being overshadowed by Harry and Meghan, even if they don’t admit it. 

‘You’re not going to want to have the likes of Princess Anne and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, for instance, who, day in day out, plant trees, unveil plaques and go to the opening of royal envelopes, only to have the media focus completely on Harry and Meghan who aren’t playing a role at all in the so-called family Firm.’

The Sussexes are expected to take part in elements of the festivities but will not join the Queen and senior royals including Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Buckingham Palace balcony following Trooping the Colour. 

The invitation has only been extended to working members of the Royal Family, meaning Prince Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will also not be in attendance. 

The attention the Sussexes receive could also cause resentment among members of the family like Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne who work ‘day in, day out’ but could be overlooked by the press and public. Pictured, the Countess of Wessex planting a tree this week

Tominey noted there could be some chilliness between the Sussexes and the Cambridges as relations between the two couples remain ‘distant’. 

She noted Charles is ‘sad’ and William is ‘angry and sad’ about Harry’s behaviour since quitting the royal family but that ‘brave faces will be put on proceedings,’ as they were at Prince Philip’s funeral. 

The royal expert continued: ‘The most interesting addition to the proceedings is Meghan. Previously we have seen Harry by himself in the UK and now the Duchess will come back into the fold. The body language and the reading of it is going to be quite fascinating.’

However she insisted the focus for all camps will be on ensuring the Queen remains ‘front and centre’ of all proceedings.

There cannot be any ‘briefings’ from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s team hinting at any discontent between the family members. 

She added: ‘The main priority for all the members of the royal family is, as it always has been, the Queen and making sure she isn’t overshadowed.

‘Nobody is going to ingratiate themselves with the public in the UK or overseas if they overshadow our 96-year-old monarch on the most momentous and historic weekend of her reign.’