Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s renewed presence in Europe has reportedly unsettled the Royal Family, with insiders claiming their visits have “changed everything.”
Meghan’s Surprise Appearance at Paris Fashion Week
The Duchess of Sussex made an unannounced trip to France for Paris Fashion Week, her first visit to Europe since 2023. Meghan attended the Balenciaga show in Paris on Saturday night to support Pierpaolo Piccioli, the new Creative Director of the fashion house.
A spokesman for the Duchess told GB News: “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attended the Balenciaga show in Paris on Saturday night in support of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who recently assumed the role of Creative Director for the House.
“This marks her first time back to the shows in over a decade. Over the years, the Duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo. They have worked closely together collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage. She has long admired his craftsmanship and modern elegance, and tonight was no different. This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
During the event, Meghan, 44, was photographed greeting notable European figures including Dame Anna Wintour, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and Piccioli himself.
Prince Harry’s Visit to the UK
Her appearance followed just a month after Prince Harry returned to the UK for several charity engagements. During the trip, he reunited with his father, King Charles III, for the first time since February 2024. The pair reportedly shared tea at Clarence House, the King’s London residence, before Harry attended another event at the Gherkin.
Prince Harry has openly expressed his wish to spend more time in his home country and bring his two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, for visits. When asked by The Guardian whether he intended to return to the UK with his children, he said, “Yes I would. This week has definitely brought that closer.”
Royal Courtiers Reportedly Uneasy
With both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex making more frequent appearances in Europe, palace aides are said to be feeling uneasy about what this could mean for the monarchy’s image.
A former royal courtier told the Daily Beast: “If they really plan to spend more time here, it changes everything. It puts them back in the frame, and that’s not what anyone expected.”
From Royal Life to Independence
Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 after announcing their intention to become “financially independent.” The decision led to the Sandringham Summit, where it was agreed that the couple would step away from representing the late Queen Elizabeth II in any official capacity.
After initially considering a move to Canada, they eventually settled in Montecito, Santa Barbara, with their son, Prince Archie. Their daughter, Princess Lilibet, was born on June 4, 2021.
In 2022, the couple returned to the UK for charity events, coinciding with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Meghan has not visited the UK since the late monarch’s funeral, particularly after their taxpayer-funded police protection was downgraded following their royal departure.