Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Opt for UK Return to Maintain Royal Brand

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to return to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, sparking speculation about their motivations.

According to a royal expert, the couple's presence at the event is primarily driven by branding concerns.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, recently announced their plans to travel from California with their children, Archie and Lilibet, to join in the festivities in early June.

This visit will also mark the Queen's first meeting with her great-granddaughter, Lilibet, who was born last June.

The news of their return coincided with the announcement that they will not be present on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour event.

The Queen has limited balcony access to working royals only.

Despite this, royal author and broadcaster Hugo Vickers suggests that Harry and Meghan's attendance is primarily driven by the need to maintain their royal brand.

Vickers stated on True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat, “I think it's entirely to do with branding because the further away that he, Harry, gets from the royal family, he turns into a guy in blue jeans, with a ginger beard, coming off a plane with a backpack on.

Which isn't very marketable in my point of view.”

Russell Myers, royal editor of the Mirror, added that Harry and Meghan would have wanted to be on the balcony for the event.

He explains, “There is an argument to say that they still need to be seen as royal.

This is one of the biggest events of the generation, and they need to stay relevant.

They're not having a great time at the moment.

There is pressure from Netflix, who have dropped Meghan's debut show Pearl, and I think they are potentially struggling to stay relevant.”

Earlier reports indicated that Prince William is wary of Harry's presence at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee due to concerns about potential leaks of private conversations.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been informed that any attempts by their Netflix film crew to document the celebrations will be halted by royal enforcers.

However, William is reportedly anxious that any intimate discussions with his younger brother during the special occasion could be made public on Harry and Meghan's streaming service show.

A close friend of the couple recently revealed that Harry and Meghan themselves decided not to be invited to the Queen's balcony.

Royal author and Meghan Markle aide Omid Scobie denied rumors of a snub, stating that the Sussexes deemed it inappropriate to participate in the balcony moment as they are no longer working royals.

However, they expressed a desire to be part of the jubilee celebrations and attend the service on June 3.

Since stepping down from their royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been embroiled in controversy.

Their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey revealed Meghan's accusations of racism within the royal household.

The couple's move to the US, their subsequent Netflix deal, and the birth of their daughter, Lilibet, have kept them in the media spotlight.

Despite the challenges they face, Harry and Meghan's decision to return to the UK demonstrates their commitment to maintaining their royal brand and staying connected to the monarchy.