Fresh reports of tension within the British royal family have surfaced as Prince Prince Harry is said to be laying down conditions ahead of a possible visit to the United Kingdom with Meghan Markle for events linked to the Invictus Games, per a report by The Times of India.
According to Radar Online, Harry wants assurances from royal family members that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will be treated respectfully if she returns to the UK for the one-year countdown celebrations connected to the Invictus Games.
Harry seeks 'basic respect' for Meghan
The report claims the Duke of Sussex is determined to avoid a repeat of previous public appearances that allegedly left Meghan uncomfortable and isolated.
Also Read | Google hit with £3 billion UK lawsuit over digital advertising market control
"Harry is coming in with all these demands on behalf of Meghan, and it’s rubbing a lot of people up the wrong way," a source told the outlet, per TOI.
The insider reportedly added that Harry believes he has little choice given the way earlier royal appearances unfolded.
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stand with Kate, in 2019. File image/ANI Meghan Markle last appeared publicly with the royal family in June 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and later in September during the late monarch's funeral. Reports at the time suggested the couple faced boos from sections of the crowd and were seated away from senior working royals.
"The last thing he wants is Meghan walking into a situation where she feels judged, and he says all he's asking is that she's treated with basic respect and not cast as the bad guy before anything's even happened," the report continued.
Also Read | Google-backed robot cars trapped on dead-end roads leave Londoners sleepless
Royal family 'unhappy over demands'
The alleged demands have reportedly caused frustration among some senior royals.
"The fact that, once again, it all centres around Meghan and presumably ensuring she's treated with kid gloves," the source said while describing the reaction inside royal circles.
The report suggests Harry sees the requests as reassurance for Meghan ahead of any return visit to Britain.
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, holding their son Archie, in 2019. File image/ANI Reports also mention Meghan's own conditions
Separate reports have also highlighted claims about Meghan Markle's personal expectations for future public appearances.
Also Read | UK graduate spends over Rs 1 crore on a degree, still jobless after 500 applications
Royal insider Rob Shuter earlier claimed that Meghan had specific demands tied to a possible appearance at the Los Angeles 2027 Summer Games. According to the report, the Duchess allegedly requested heightened security arrangements and additional privacy measures at a Birmingham hotel, including restrictions involving hotel staff and access to multiple floors.
Neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle has publicly commented on the latest reports.
