Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have used their recent trip to the Middle East to send a quiet signal to the Prince and Princess of Wales, a royal author has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left their luxurious Montecito base to travel to Jordan for two days with the World Health Organisation (WHO).Â
The short trip, which began on February 25, marked the couple’s first international tour in 18 months.
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, are understood to have been invited to Jordan by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who hosted them for a roundtable discussion with senior representatives from UN agencies including UNRWA and UNHCR, along with diplomatic figures from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Canada and the European Union.
During the visit, the Sussexes also toured a hospital, a youth centre and an organisation that provides food assistance during times of crisis.
However, royal author Ingrid Seward believes the trip may have carried a deeper purpose.
“Their trip to the Middle East appears to be part political, part message- and is it a secret message to William and Kate, or a blatant one?” the royal author told the Mirror.
Seward pointed out the visit came at a turbulent moment for the Royal Family following the arrest of disgraced ex-Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office.Â
While she does not believe the Sussexes would have known “what was going to happen [with Andrew] when they planned the trip”, she suggested the visit could be a way of demonstrating their willingness to play a role during a difficult period for the monarchy.
“The not-so-secret message is: ‘We’re here, we can help, we can do this with you’ – and that can only work to Harry and Meghan’s advantage,” she said.
Seward also believes it is “highly likely” that Harry has reached out to his estranged brother amid the scandal surrounding their uncle.
“I do feel a desire from Harry for a rapprochement, because I’m absolutely certain Harry will have contacted his brother about the Andrew situation,” she claimed.
“Whether they have spoken, though… that is a different matter. But I’m sure he has contacted William and his father to express huge sympathy for what’s going on and has tried to keep in touch.”
Seward added that the unfolding controversy may have unexpectedly created an opportunity for reconciliation.
Interestingly, Seward said she believes that the “Andrew situation has created a sort of olive branch for Harry, undoubtedly.”
However, the prospect of the Sussexes ever returning to official royal duties remains slim.
It is understood the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Sussexes have not spoken since the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2024.
Harry and his father, 77-year-old King Charles III, however, spent about an hour together at Clarence House in London late last year and are said to be cautiously rebuilding their relationship.
“Both Meghan and Harry like to do things their own way, so that may always be an issue for his brother,” Seward said.
“William likes to be in control of everything, as we understand, and so does Kate to an extent, but Meghan is not the ideal person for that dynamic.”