Does Queen Elizabeth Approve of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Informal Tour of Africa?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal tour of Africa has been winning over their fans and critics, in part due to the more relaxed approach they’re taking with the visit. Many have wondered, however, if the Queen approves of their informal tour and one royal expert claims she’s likely “delighted” over it.
Prince Harry and Markle keep things casual
They may be part of the royal family but Prince Harry and Markle’s tour of Africa has been anything but formal. From the moment they arrived, without a red carpet in sight, to the way they’ve greeted and hugged everyone they meet, and even showed a more fun side by dancing along to the entertainment provided, the Sussexes have shown that they’re not about following any rigid protocols.
Markle even has even gone without her engagement ring during the tour with a source telling HELLO! that the decision was made in an effort to be “low key” during the visit.
There has been no bowing or curtsying either, with Vanity Fair reporter Katie Nicholl noting that, according to a source, Prince Harry and Markle want to “meet as many South Africans as possible and make a difference where they can.”
The insider shared: “This isn’t a holiday and they don’t want it to look like one. Their Royal Highnesses want to do some serious work on the ground, particularly at a community level.”
Additionally, the couple reportedly requested “minimal fuss, formality, and protocol” for their royal tour, and asked that people address them by their first names.
How the Queen really feels about their visit
Prince Harry and Markle are definitely embarking on the tour with their their own spin and it’s an approach that’s anything but stuffy. Is this approach Queen-approved though?
It turns out that while the Sussexes are taking this unique, “unorthodox” method, Queen Elizabeth is probably “delighted,” according to one royal commentator.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams shared this perspective with Express: “The way Meghan and Harry have handled their tour in South Africa so far has been uniquely informal, from hugging and dancing to Meghan not wearing her engagement ring. This is unusual for a royal tour but the Sussexes have already shown they do things their way.”
Fitzwilliams thinks that the Queen won’t find any fault in the Sussexes’ approach to their royal tour, claiming, “I am sure that the Queen, who cares so deeply about her beloved Commonwealth, will be delighted at their successes.”
Fitzwilliams believes that Prince Harry and Markle’s “brilliantly unorthodox” method is also working to improve the public’s perception of them.
He noted: “Their main appeal is clearly to the young and it is brilliantly unorthodox. Meghan’s speech to her audience in the deprived township of Nyanga in Cape Town where there is a high level of violence, as ‘a woman of color and your sister’ had an electrifying response.”
The Sussexes are making connections
Fitzwilliams pointed out: “Whether commemorating South Africa’s Heritage Day as a ‘rainbow nation’ or promoting mental health issues or taking Archie for an iconic meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu which has led to images which have gone global, the enthusiastic response proves yet again the potency of the appeal of royals on tour and how they can spread the word about the causes they champion.”
The attention they’re getting for their causes is staggering, as the royal expert noted: “The benefit to the charities involved and to the host country are enormous. The way this connects with their target audience is amazing, more than 60 percent of the people of the 53 Commonwealth countries are under 30.”