Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Nigeria has upset some people in official royal circles.
The success of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Nigeria last month is likely to lead to more “faux royal” tours which may cause some serious diplomatic incidents, according to a source.
The nature of the Sussex trip was so similar to that of an official royal visit that some members of the Firm were reportedly angered by the couple’s behaviour.
However the Duke and Duchess may have bigger problems, as an insider told Page Six such high-profile tours could create a “major diplomatic incident” for other countries.
Working royals are generally invited to undertake a trip abroad by the Foreign Office, who are also able to adequately assess the security of each country the Firm visits.
The source explained: “Harry and Meghan’s trip was very interesting since it didn’t fit any of the normally accepted royal categories. This would have given the High Commission in Nigeria a headache. If a prince lands in your patch, officially or otherwise, you have protocol, security and media issues which have to be right.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could embark on more tours abroad (Image: Getty)
They added: “[Normally] This would all be part of the planning of a proper royal tour. But Harry and Meghan’s tour showed their ‘all about me’ media strategy and how they divert from royalty’s role as super ambassadors for Britain.
“When Harry and Meghan break all the usual norms of royal visits, it somewhat looks like the Royal Family can’t manage itself properly.
“A high-profile royal visit overseas has one main function — to promote British interests: diplomatic, trade, cultural and humanitarian. That’s their job.
“By the grace of God there wasn’t a major diplomatic incident this time, but it’s a risk for the future that Harry and Meghan seem to be willing to disregard.”
The couple were warmly welcomed in Nigeria (Image: Getty)
Other members of the working Royal Family have not been able to carry out many international tours over the last few years, with Prince William and Princess Kate last touring the Caribbean in spring 2022.
The future King and Queen visited Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, but sadly for the royals the trip attracted attention for all the wrong royals.
They were beset by criticism that the tour was reminiscent of the old days of colonialism, with pictures of them greeting children through a wire fence in Jamaica not going down well in the media.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Caribbean in 2022 (Image: Getty)
Princess Kate will be unable to travel abroad for the foreseeable future as she remains off work while she undergoes preventative chemotherapy.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are hoping to fly Down Under later this autumn to visit Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, although this will be dependent on medical advice.
The King is still fighting cancer but has gradually been returning to public life and doctors so far appear to be pleased with his progress.
