Meghan Markle’s 'wise move' to limit damage to Prince Harry’s UK visit laid bare

Meghan Markle will join Prince Harry in Nigeria rather than in the UK as she once again avoids a visit.

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London

Schofield talks about Harry and Meghan visiting Nigeria

has made a "wise" decision not to accompany on his trip to the UK this time, according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex arrived in London yesterday alone as he is due to attend a service celebrating the Invictus Games later today, however his appearance has not been without controversy.

Despite claims that he hoped to reunite with his father King Charles while in his home country, a spokesperson later confirmed that the King is too busy to see him.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Mirror: "Meghan has wisely decided that a hostile press and public would prefer her to stay away from the Service at St Paul’s to commemorate a decade of Invictus. Their visit to Nigeria is a cover for what is a setback."

The couple are later travelling to Nigeria together for a planned visit, which will see them at several cities in the West African country taking part in cultural activities.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Harry and Meghan will reunite in Nigeria (Image: Getty)

Speaking about the failed meeting, Mr Fitzwilliams continued: "This will be seen as a snub. There is little doubt that this was not arranged as it should have been as King Charles has always made it clear that his door is open to Harry.

"Their meeting after the King’s diagnosis was extremely brief and we do not know how well it went. The King has engagements and duties he needs to perform and has to balance these with treatment for cancer that must be deeply debilitating.

"The fact that they will not be meeting will, as all things affecting the Royal Family will, be worldwide news. If the royal rift is ever to be healed it will be when matters are less public and can be considered privately and less stressfully."

King Charles at Royal Windsor Horse Show

King Charles will not be seeing Prince Harry this week (Image: Getty)

Harry last flew over to the UK to see the King in February, after news of his shock cancer diagnosis broke around the world, however their reunion was very brief.

Despite flying all the way over from Los Angeles the Duke was only able to see his father for around 30 minutes before he was helicoptered out of London to Sandringham for recuperation.

Harry then spent a night at a London hotel before travelling back to California the next day, with Meghan avoiding coming to the UK for nearly two years.

Meghan Markle at Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Meghan has not been back to the UK since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 (Image: Getty)

One expert explained that Meghan's decision to not come back to the UK has nothing to do with fears over "security or childcare" but is instead simply because she does not want to.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: "I’m afraid this does seem to be the clearest indication yet that Meghan really doesn’t want to return to the UK.

"I suppose it’s not surprising because there would be a huge amount of doubt about what kind of reception she would get. But it is sad."

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