‘out-there’ causes, dress in
a more relaxed style and opt for
greater privacy because he will
never be head of state. To get
that relative freedom, they have
to go their own way.”
Royal author Katie Nicholl
agrees. “The whole point of
splitting the household and
the foundations is so they
can each pursue their own
trajectories,” she says.
“They have different roles
in the royal family and are going
their own way. What
courtiers will be hoping is
that there aren’t going to
be any future clashes or
conflicts of interest or the
chance to pit one couple
against the other.”
Another aide says the
split is now amicable.
“Prince William and
Prince Harry have some
interests in common- mental health is one
- but Prince William now
has to devote himself to the
countries he will rule. Prince
Harry can get involved in
other interests, like Africa,
which he loves.
“As for the duchesses, their
main connection is marrying
into royalty. They get along well
and they help each other out,
but Kate is queen-in-waiting
and Meghan is a TV star with
an interest in global women’s
issues. They have very different
pasts, presents and futures.”
Certainly, both couples are
making every effort to come
across well. A day after Meghan’s
less-than-successful solo
Wimbledon outing, a photo
opportunity was arranged when
Harry and William were pitted
against each other at polo.
Not only did Meghan and
Kate cheer on their husbands
(William’s team won), but royal
babies Archie (nearly 3 months)
and Louis (1) got their first tastes
of the sport, and it generated
a lot of happy-families photos
in the media. If it was designed
to create positive headlines,
it worked.
Royal expert Victoria Murphy
says, “I think it has been a very
good week for Megan and
Harry. The more we see of them,
the more people are reminded
why they love them.”
But not everyone is convinced.
Patrick Jephson, Princess Diana’s
former secretary, has doubts.
“Meghan’s name is certainly
stamped on the innovative new
brand of royalty that she and
Harry are trailblazing,” he says,
“a brand that has promised much
but as yet delivered only mixed
results. Their attitudes to privacy
are either naïve or calculated.
“By harnessing star power
to a solid record of low-key
mainstream royal duty, Diana
earned herself the most
priceless gift: forgiveability –
the quality that inclines people
to give you the benefit of
the doubt, even in the most
unlikely circumstances.
“It was a quality with which
Diana was richly blessed, yet
Harry is in danger of squandering
it, and his duchess has yet to
earn it.” #
Andrew MackintoshHappy families:
Meghan and Harry
look relaxed and
happy at a charity
polo match –
though the new
mum inevitably
came in for
criticism on social
media about the
“awkward” way
she was holding
her son Archie.SPORT OF PRINCES