Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Realized Their Role in the Royal Family After Australia Tour, Expert Says

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly became aware of their limited role within the Royal Family following their tour of Australia in 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who garnered significant public attention during the trip, were shown that their duty was to follow the orders of the institution, despite the spotlight they attracted.

Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, shared insights with The Sun, explaining that the couple’s experience during the tour marked a turning point in their understanding of their position. “I think it was a bit of a shock for Meghan,” Seward said. “She was being told what to do, where to go, and how to do it. Despite taking on a starring role during the trip, in the grand scheme of the monarchy, she was just a small part of the larger system.”

Seward elaborated on the realization Meghan faced, noting that while she may have taken center stage during the Australian tour, she was reminded of her place within the institution. “She was a starring role in Australia, but she wasn’t really,” Seward continued. “She was just a cog in the wheel.”

According to Seward, this realization likely caused frustration for Meghan, as she understood that her role would always be secondary due to her marriage to Prince Harry, who is not the direct heir to the throne. “It was an eye-opener for her that she was always going to be a cog in the wheel because she was married to the ‘number two man’ and not the ‘number one man,’ which would have been [Prince] William,” Seward said.

The royal commentator suggested that this experience may have contributed to the growing discontent between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family. “I agree with other royal commentators that this was definitely when the rot began to fester a little bit,” she added.

The Australia tour, which was highly praised at the time, is now viewed by some experts as a pivotal moment in Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the monarchy, marking the beginning of their eventual decision to step back from royal duties.