PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle want to be part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year, despite stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
But a royal expert has claimed it is “arrogant” for the couple to want to “pick and choose” what royal events they attend, and it “smacks of hypocrisy.”
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The Duke of Sussex wants to be included in next year’s four-day bonanza for the Queen, with plans being released by Buckingham Palace.
Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, told Fabulous: “I think it is arrogant of Meghan and Harry to opt out of things they don’t want to do, ie, normal royal duties and representing the Queen throughout the Commonwealth, but they are quite happy to come back and pick and choose.
“If you are not supporting the Monarchy, why celebrate 70 years on the throne.
“Obviously he wanted to come back for Prince Philip’s funeral which is fair enough as it’s his beloved grandfather, but coming back to celebrate the Jubilee, it does smack a bit of hypocrisy.”
Harry and Meghan, 39, have officially stepped down as working royals and been stripped of their royal patronages and military titles.
However, they have indicated they want to return for family occasions.
But that leaves organisers with an enormous headache as they try to work out what to do with the couple during the party.
Phil said that the Queen is unlikely to exclude them from the celebrations, and they could even secure a place on Buckingham Palace’s balcony, as is tradition for family members.
He explained: “The Queen is always somebody who will try and be considatory and she’s made it clear in a few statements that Harry and Meghan are still much-loved members of the family, despite the fact that I’m sure that deep down she is very disappointed they have left the royal family.
“They wouldn’t stop them being on the balcony because at the end of the day they are members of the family.
“I don’t think the Queen would osteracise them, she’s still hoping that any rift can be healed.”
The Palace confirmed that Brits will be given a four-day Bank Holiday weekend so they can celebrate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne next June.
An insider said: “Harry wants to be there. It is already causing a headache and is going to be very awkward.
“Where will they be positioned if they turn up? What events can they attend?
“Will we put them on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast?
“This is a celebration for the Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation and should not be overshadowed.
“There are now so many questions about what to do with Harry and Meghan.”
Harry was due to return to the UK next month for his mother’s statue unveiling to honour Princess Diana on July 1 – on what would have been her 60th birthday.
But his plans are in doubt as his wife Meghan is due to give birth in the next couple of weeks, a royal expert said.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, the Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers told stand-in host Cat Deeley that Harry may miss the event.
He said: “The thing I’m being told is they still really want to be there, both of them. Certainly, William and Kate will be there.
“But whether Harry can fly over there because the baby is imminently due this summer… it will certainly be in the next couple of weeks.”
It comes amid hopes Prince Harry’s return to Britain could help repair the “deteriorating” relationship with his brother Prince William.
The brothers have had frosty relations since Harry sensationally moved to the US and stepped back from royal life in 2020.
And their relationship was strained further after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah earlier this year.
We shared how Prince Harry’s return to UK for Princess Diana statue unveiling in doubt as Meghan Markle due to give birth in weeks.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to “really want to be” at the event to honour Princess Diana on July 1 – on what would have been her 60th birthday.
