Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing fresh accusations of attempting to overshadow King Charles, this time after releasing romantic wedding anniversary photographs on social media during the monarch’s recent three-day visit to Northern Ireland. Royal insiders are claiming the timing was anything but coincidental, with the accusations causing significant frustration within Palace circles. The latest claims come amid already strained relations between Harry, 41, Charles, 77, and the wider royal family, following the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to Montecito, California.According to RadarOnline.com, a royal source confirmed the growing irritation behind closed doors. “There is enormous frustration in some Palace circles because this pattern keeps repeating itself. Every time there is a major royal engagement involving the King or Queen, something appears from Harry and Meghan that drags media attention back toward themselves. Those inside the royal family increasingly view it as cringeworthy and deliberate, and an attempt to hijack Charles’ activities.“
The Palace’s frustration over the anniversary post
A second insider added that the timing of the anniversary photographs raised immediate concern among those working around the King. “Staff working around the King feel royal visits should be about the public engagements themselves, not competing headlines generated from California.”
A pattern of poorly timed interventions
Sources point to a string of incidents they claim have repeatedly overshadowed key moments for senior royals. Harry’s recent article in the New Statesman discussing a “divided Britain” reportedly appeared while Catherine, Princess of Wales, was on a widely publicised visit to Italy. Earlier this year, Harry also travelled to Ukraine on the eve of Charles’s US state visit, walking through a minefield in scenes that some said deliberately echoed the humanitarian work of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.One Palace source said, “There are advisors around the King who genuinely believe Harry is trying to rebuild relevance in Britain through carefully staged interventions tied to emotional causes. The feeling among some is that every speech, article, or appearance has become part of a broader image rehabilitation campaign for Harry, but it is clashing badly with the public efforts of the rest of the royal family.”
Prince Harry’s growing role as a global advocate
Despite the accusations, Harry has increasingly positioned himself as a global advocate on issues including veterans’ welfare, mental health, environmentalism and antisemitism. In recent months, he has spoken publicly about support for Britain’s Jewish community and the war in Ukraine, with some royal observers noting overlaps between his messaging and causes long championed by Charles himself.Harry also recently joined Prince William in honouring broadcaster David Attenborough on his 100th birthday, praising his environmental campaigning. A source close to the family noted that at their core, Harry and Charles share similar instincts. “Both are emotional, deeply passionate about causes, and willing to speak publicly about issues they believe matter, even if it attracts criticism. There is a belief among people close to the family that Harry inherited a lot of his father’s instinct for activism and public advocacy.“
What comes next for Prince Harry and the Palace
Relations between Harry and the Palace remain tense ahead of his expected return to Britain in July for preparations linked to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. He also remains locked in a dispute with the UK Home Office over taxpayer-funded police protection for himself, Meghan and their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, four.Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan have pursued media projects, charity campaigns and public commentary on political and social issues, repeatedly clashing with the Palace over security, publicity and their broader role within the monarchy.
