Prince Harry regrets missing the 2024 Trooping the Colour, a sentiment that contrasts sharply with his wife Meghan Markle’s indifference towards the event. The couple, who were not invited to the annual military parade celebrating King Charles III’s birthday for the second consecutive year, have differing views on their absence, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.
Fitzwilliams, speaking to The Sun, emphasized Harry’s deep connection to military matters. “Harry has always taken an interest in military affairs,” he said. “He undoubtedly views the break with the Royal Family as regrettable, a situation he attributes to the Sussexes’ actions.” This regret is particularly poignant given Harry’s military background, having completed two tours in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2013.
The expert noted that the military has been a significant part of Harry’s life, making his absence from Trooping the Colour all the more regrettable. “It’s only natural that he would feel some regret about not being at Trooping the Colour,” Fitzwilliams added.
In stark contrast, Meghan Markle appears indifferent to the ceremony. Fitzwilliams suggested that the event holds little significance for her. “I think Meghan would be indifferent to a ceremony like Trooping the Colour,” he said. “If it had meant something to her, she would have found a way to carve a position within the Royal Family where she could have been of use.”
The couple, who now reside in California with their two children, have been estranged from the Royal Family since stepping back from their official duties in 2020. Their absence from Trooping the Colour this year follows a similar snub last year, which was the first time the event took place during King Charles’ reign.
Despite their absence, the rest of the Royal Family, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children, were present at the event. The parade, held on June 15, 2024, was a grand affair, with the royal family members gathering on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
Harry’s regret over missing the event is compounded by his recent estrangement from his family. During a three-day trip to London last month for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry did not meet with any of his royal relatives. Instead, he stayed in a hotel, a stark contrast to his previous visits when he would stay in royal accommodations.
The strained relationship between Harry and his family has been a topic of much discussion. The couple’s move to the U.S. and their subsequent criticisms of the Royal Family, including a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, a six-part Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir “Spare,” have only widened the rift.
Fitzwilliams believes that Harry’s regret is tied to his deep-rooted connection to the military and the ceremonial aspects of royal life. “The military has been a very important part of his life,” he said. “It’s only natural that he would feel some regret about not being at Trooping the Colour.”
On the other hand, Meghan’s indifference to the event highlights the couple’s differing perspectives on their royal roles. Fitzwilliams suggested that Meghan’s lack of interest in the ceremony is indicative of her broader disinterest in the traditional aspects of royal life. “If it had meant something to her, she would have found a way to carve a position within the Royal Family where she could have been of use,” he said.
The couple’s absence from Trooping the Colour this year is a stark reminder of their ongoing estrangement from the Royal Family. While Harry’s regret is palpable, Meghan’s indifference underscores the couple’s differing views on their royal roles and responsibilities.
As the Royal Family continues to navigate the complexities of their relationships, the absence of Harry and Meghan from key events like Trooping the Colour serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing rift. For Harry, the regret of missing such a significant event is a reflection of his deep connection to the military and the ceremonial aspects of royal life. For Meghan, the indifference highlights her broader disinterest in the traditional aspects of royal life.
The couple’s differing views on their absence from Trooping the Colour underscore the complexities of their relationship with the Royal Family. As they continue to build their lives in California, the question of whether they will ever reconcile with their royal relatives remains uncertain. For now, the regret and indifference surrounding their absence from Trooping the Colour serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing rift within the Royal Family.
