Prince William fears Prince Harry’s return to UK will overshadow his tour of Ireland, source claims

Prince William fears his tour of Ireland will be overshadowed by his brother Prince Harry’s return to the UK, a source has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex, 35, embarked on his final round of engagements as a senior working royal as he launched a new eco-friendly travel firm in Edinburgh today.

And he and wife Meghan Markle will be attending the Endeavour Fund Awards on March 5 in London while Prince William and Kate Middleton are in Ireland.

Speaking to The Sun, a senior source said: ‘Indeed he [Prince William] is glad that he is returning, however briefly – he wishes that it wasn’t at the same time as his Irish trip because he knows what will happen is that the spotlight as far as papers and TV are concerned will be fully on Harry and Meghan.’ 

Prince William and Kate Middleton will be on a royal tour in Ireland from March 3 to 5. Pictured, attending a charity performance of “Dear Evan Hansen” in aid of The Royal Foundation at Noel Coward Theatre on February 25, 2020

‘He recognises that for the media this will be “the big story.”‘

The source went on to say that while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will not be ‘jealous’ of the coverage, the tour of Ireland is particularly important as it’s the first carried out by any member of The Firm since Brexit. 

The engagements will not be taking place at the same time, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s much-anticipated return to the UK is likely to overshadow the final day of William and Kate’s tour. 

During his return to the UK, Prince Harry will visit the Abbey Road Studios in London on Friday to record a new song for his Invictus Games with rock star Jon Bon Jovi.

The Duke of Sussex during a sustainable tourism summit at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in Edinburgh today

He will then be joined by his wife Meghan – and, possibly, the couple’s son Archie – early next week for five further official appearances.

These include the official opening of the Silverstone UK Experience, Mountbatten Music Festival and an occasion to mark Independent Women’s Day. 

Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton were at the theatre in London last night and will be on a royal tour in Ireland from March 3 to 5.  

However, the ‘Fab Four’ – as William, Kate, Harry and Meghan were once known – are expected to join together with other royals at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn