Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have contrasting feelings about missing the 2024 Trooping the Colour event, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. The couple, who were not invited to the annual military parade celebrating King Charles III’s birthday for the second consecutive year, seem to be handling the snub differently.
Fitzwilliams shared with The Sun that Harry regrets not participating in the ceremony. “When it comes to military matters, Harry has always taken an interest,” Fitzwilliams noted. “He undoubtedly views the break with the Royal Family as a significant loss, which, in my opinion, is the fault of the Sussexes.”
Harry’s deep connection to the military is well-documented. The Duke of Sussex completed two tours in Afghanistan, from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2013. Fitzwilliams believes that Harry’s military background makes it natural for him to feel a sense of regret about missing Trooping the Colour. “The military has been a very important part of his life,” Fitzwilliams said. “I would have thought it only natural that he would have had a feeling of some regret.”
In contrast, Meghan Markle appears to be indifferent to the ceremony. Fitzwilliams stated, “I think Meghan would be indifferent to a ceremony like Trooping the Colour quite frankly. I have no idea whether she would or wouldn’t actually watch it, but I don’t think it would mean a great deal to her.”
The couple, who now reside in California with their two children, have been absent from the Trooping the Colour since 2019. Their last appearance was before they stepped back from official royal duties in 2020. Since then, they have not been included in the guest list for the event, which has now taken place twice under King Charles’ reign.
Harry’s recent visits to the UK have been brief and focused on specific events, such as the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. During his last trip, he did not meet with any royal family members, including his father, King Charles, due to the monarch’s “full” schedule. This estrangement has been a source of ongoing tension, especially given the couple’s public criticisms of the royal family in various media appearances, including their interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”
Fitzwilliams also highlighted that Harry and Meghan’s absence from royal events like Trooping the Colour is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. “The appearance of the Sussexes anywhere is accompanied by a vast amount of publicity. It would overshadow the parade,” he said. “Trooping the Colour is about the King, first and foremost. Harry and Meghan would bring some form of publicity circus with them.”
The expert further suggested that it is unlikely we will see Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie and Lilibet, at such royal events anytime soon. “I think it’s impossible to imagine Archie and Lilibet on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, or at Trooping the Colour by themselves,” Fitzwilliams added. “We will only see them on the balcony with Harry and Meghan and the rest of the family if the rift is solved.”
Despite the ongoing tensions, the royal family continues to carry on with their duties. King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children were all present at this year’s Trooping the Colour. The event, which dates back to the 17th century, is a significant occasion for the monarchy, marked by a parade and a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
As the royal family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the absence of Harry and Meghan was palpable. However, Fitzwilliams believes that the focus should remain on the King and the continuity of royal traditions. “Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event performed at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall every year to celebrate the official birthday of the monarch,” he explained. “The event is about the King, first and foremost.”
While Harry may feel a sense of loss and regret over missing such significant events, Meghan’s indifference suggests a different perspective on their royal past. As the couple continues to build their life in the United States, their relationship with the royal family remains strained, with no immediate signs of reconciliation.
