The final images of Meghan and Harry together on British soil before leaving the UK to start a new life in Los Angeles painted two very contrasting paintings.
One of the tense Sussexes in Westminster Cathedral behind Kate and William, formerly known collectively as the Fabulous Four, was a portrait of family dysfunction. The other, radiating from arm to arm under an umbrella through the rain outside Mansion House, a vision of freedom. And, at least for his fans, a reminder of what the royal family was losing.
The Sussex outside Mansion House. Photography: Samir Hussein / WireImage
This week, more than two years later, all eyes will be on Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, as they make their first official visit together to the UK since their departure.
In the intervening years there has been that interview with Oprah, the creation of her Archewell organization, multiple legal battles with the British press, the death of Prince Philip, the birth of her second child, Lilibet, an upcoming autobiography and Netflix. and Spotify. More recently, Harry had a negative reaction when he told American television at the Invictus Games that he had made sure the 96-year-old queen was “protected.”
The stakes are high, but so are the possible drawbacks. Will family tensions have healed or will divisions still be evident? And how will the British public – and the British media – receive them?
The exact timing of their landing is not publicly known, but the first event the Sussexs are expected to attend is the color of Thursday morning troops. After “careful consideration” by the Queen, they will not be present for the “balcony time”, which will be reserved for members of the royal family.
The first proper opportunity to observe their relationship with Cambridge, a frenzy between lip readers and body language experts, is unlikely to arrive until Friday, when Sussex is expected to attend the Thanksgiving service. the queen in St. Paul’s Cathedral. .
But for the family, the highlight of the trip will probably be behind closed doors when Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday, meets for the first time the queen, her namesake and great-grandmother. It will also be an opportunity for her grandfather, Prince Charles, to spend time with her and her now three-year-old brother Archie.
They plan to keep it simple during the trip, reports ITV Royal Editor Chris Ship, traveling with a limited number of security personnel and their appearances will be strictly limited.
With no official appointments until Saturday evening, with the Derby at Epsom Downs and the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace, an open-air concert led by Diana Ross, it has been speculated that there may be a small meeting of birthday for Lilibet at Frogmore. Rural house, where it is understood that the family stays.
It has been reported that the Sussex recently renewed the lease of their former home on Windsor Castle Estate, which in its absence has been occupied by Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who he says they will move to Portugal.
While in the United States they have been largely welcomed as famous list A philanthropic activists, the couple, Meghan in particular, remain unpopular with much of the UK media and have already been accused of attempting to steal. the prominence of the queen.
Writing in The Sun this week, photographer Arthur Edwards reminded the couple that the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations “are not about your partner” and claimed that his interview with Oprah had “polarized the nation “.
But royal commentator and co-author of Finding Freedom Omid Scobie responded to that comment, tweeting on Tuesday: “Honestly, it’s an insult to the queen to suggest that she can be eclipsed so easily. YEARS, I think he’ll be fine. “
Royal photographer Samir Hussein, who took the rain photo of Mansion House, predicts that they will have a mixed response. “Inevitably, there will be some negative reports and outpouring towards them, as some are unhappy with the way they have behaved since they announced they would resign as members of the royal family,” he said. “For the most part, though, I think people will be happy to return to the fold for such a historic and important celebration for the Queen.”
There will also be happiness for the queen who will meet her great-granddaughter for the first time, he said. “There will be real hope that this will help bring both sides closer after all that has been said in the last two years.”
Jeetendr Sehdev, an expert and author of the Los Angeles-based celebrity brand, said the trip is an opportunity to redefine how they look in the UK and predicts they could return to the royal family, but this time “on their own terms.” “They have established themselves firmly as one of the bravest, most apologetic and resilient brands in the world. And it will continue to be an inspiration to many.”
Buckingham Palace said it “would not comment on private deals” and a Sussex spokesman declined to comment.