After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent trip to Nigeria, there’s thought to be unease in the royal family with Prince William and Princess Kate unhappy that the couple could be seen as ‘the public face of the royal family’

Prince William and Princess Kate are said to be ‘terrified’ that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be seen as part of the royal family, despite stepping back four years ago.

Meghan and Harry, who stepped back from the royal family in 2020, completed a successful trip to Nigeria earlier this month, but it’s thought to have concerned the royal family. It comes after Buckingham Palace announced The royal family will postpone engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign” over the next six weeks ahead of the general election.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, royal expert and author Tom Quinn said: “The senior royals, especially William and Kate, are terrified of one thing above all others: that Harry and Meghan will continue to organise trips across the world until they are seen as the public face of the royal family.”

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READ MORE: Meghan Markle was given four words of advice to succeed during Nigeria trip

Harry and Meghan’s recent Nigeria trip is said to have concerned the royal family (
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
He added: “The fear is made worse because William knows that with his wife stricken with cancer he cannot compete and he can’t stop the Meghan and Harry rollercoaster.”

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The comments come after Harry and Meghan successfully completed a trip to Nigeria earlier this month, which some have likened to a royal tour. Harry and Meghan, who stepped down from the royal family in 2020, have also hinted that there could be future trips for the couple, as in a message thanking the people of Nigeria following their return home, they described it as “the first of many trips”.

The trip is thought to have angered the royal family, and in particular Prince William. Quinn explained: “William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him. What’s really upset the applecart is the fact that the Nigerians treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour – all the signs were there as the couple were greeted with dances, receptions, visits to schools and charities.”

William and Kate are said to be ‘terrified’ that harry and Meghan could be seen as ‘the public face of the royal family’ (
Image:
Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from the royal family in 2020 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Reflecting on Meghan and Harry’s trip, Mr Quinn argued that it’s “easy to see why the senior royals are worried” and said it could be that the Nigeria visit was designed to give the impression Harry and Meghan were still working royals.

“Everything you might expect from an official Royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don’t like it one bit,” he concluded.

The Mirror has approached the Sussexes and Kensington Palace for comment on this story.

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