Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Nottingham Visit Criticized as 'Faux-Royal Tour'
Commentator Robert Jobson suggests the couple's return is strategic and contrasts their public engagements with those of senior royals.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nottingham has been described as a "faux-royal tour" by commentator Robert Jobson, who suggests the event was strategically planned to mirror royal engagements. This observation comes as King Charles III delivered a speech in Cardiff on the same day.
Jobson noted that while King Charles was addressing the Welsh Parliament, the media's attention was drawn to Harry and Meghan's activities in Nottingham. He characterized their return to public engagements as a "deluded Back to the Future comeback."
The visit marked their first joint public appearance since relocating back to Britain in August, six years after they moved to California. Meghan, according to Jobson, expressed her pleasure at being back, flashing a smile that he described as characteristic of a "trained actress."
The couple was greeted by what Jobson described as "sparse crowds." Harry, dressed in jeans, appeared to be enjoying the attention, while Meghan collected flowers.
Jobson contrasted this carefully orchestrated event with the work of Prince William and Catherine, who he suggested have spent years engaged in activities that rarely achieve widespread media attention.
The timing of Harry and Meghan's visit is notable, occurring shortly after their departure from official royal duties and their move to the United States. Jobson urged observers to "watch out for what William does next," implying that the Duke of Cambridge may respond to Harry and Meghan's public maneuvers.
This public appearance also recalled their engagement announcement in December 2017, which marked the beginning of Meghan's extensive public tour. The Nottingham event, while officially not a royal engagement, was, according to Jobson, "planned to an inch of its life to look like one."