The Duke of Sussex reportedly harbored resentment privately following his recent trip to Nigeria, which coincided with his participation in the Invictus Games.
Despite the tour being hailed as a success in terms of public relations, behind the scenes, the Duke’s experience was far from positive.
Royal expert Tom Quinn revealed to the Mirror that the Duke felt unsupported by his family during the visit, painting a picture of internal strife within the royal household.
Upon their return to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex found themselves at the center of speculation regarding their strained relationship with the royal family.
Quinn highlighted the Duke’s perception of success as failure, emphasizing the lack of acknowledgment or apology from his relatives for past grievances.
Public relations specialist Lynn Kerat echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the royal family might view the couple’s actions in Nigeria as a departure from established traditions, potentially causing further rifts.
Concerns were raised about the repercussions of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s independent ventures on their standing within the royal family.
Kerat warned that if not managed carefully, their continued divergence from royal protocols during official tours could deepen the existing divide.
The palace was reportedly displeased with the Nigerian tour, as it bore the hallmarks of a traditional royal visit, yet lacked the expected support and approval from the family.
Despite calls for reconciliation, the prospect of the Duke reconnecting with his father and brother to mend fences seems unlikely in the current climate of familial discord.
Royal correspondent Richard Fitzwilliam indicated to the Mirror that the Duke’s exclusion from the inner circle of the royal family, known as the Firm, was a deliberate decision by the King and the Prince of Wales.
Their stance was reinforced by the Sussexes’ public disclosures and media engagements post their departure from royal duties in 2019.
Fitzwilliam highlighted the erosion of trust as a central issue affecting family dynamics, attributing the loss of confidence to the Sussexes’ actions.
The fallout from the Oprah interview, the couple’s Netflix documentary, and the Duke’s memoir publication exacerbated tensions, leading to a breakdown in relations.
The breach of trust was deemed irreparable by Windsor and the King, signaling a definitive rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
The Duke’s recent activities, including a whirlwind tour of the United Kingdom where he reportedly neglected familial responsibilities, further strained relations.
His apparent lack of awareness regarding his father’s health and Catherine’s illness added fuel to the already simmering tensions.
The likelihood of a royal reunion remains dim, with the Duke’s actions reinforcing the growing distance between him and his relatives.