Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have had a much quieter 12 months than last year.
The Duke of Sussex kicked off 2023 by releasing his autobiography Spare which gave unprecedented insight into his life and his relationships with senior members of the Royal Family.
The book was controversial and was a turning point in his fractured relationship with Prince William.
The brothers have not properly spoken since its release in January 2023 with Princess Kate also having little contact with the Duke of Sussex.
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However, this year Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked to distance themselves from their links to the Royal Family.
The couple hardly mentioned the monarchy and instead opted to pursue careers that centre around themselves as individuals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex executed two clear strategies in 2024.
The first was to replicate Royal Family tours in all but name, the couple undertook international visits to Nigeria and Colombia together, carrying out multiple engagements across several days.
The tours were successful and helped spread awareness on important issues with some engagements linking to the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex executed two clear strategies in 2024.
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Away from the international visits, the Sussexes opted for a ‘professional separation’ where they have focused on building their individual brands in the US rather than pursuing power couple status.
Harry and Meghan have undertaken solo engagements across New York and California in recent months.
The Duke of Sussex also carried out international engagements on his own in the UK, southern Africa and Canada during the last six months.
In 2024, Prince Harry returned to the UK several times without Meghan but met with his father King Charles just once during his first visit to London in February.
Since then Harry has not met with the monarch or any senior members of the Royal Family, with just his mother’s side of the family choosing to attend a 10-year anniversary event of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in May.
Prince William and Prince Harry were in the same room during their uncle’s funeral several months ago but did not speak to each other according to eyewitnesses.
Part of the Royal Family’s reluctance to engage with the Duke of Sussex may be his upcoming trial against News Group Newspapers which will kick off in January 2025.
Harry is set to appear in the witness box and will be cross-examined by NGN’s lawyers during an appearance in London.
Members of the monarchy will be hoping Harry does not drag them into the court case during his evidence in the High Court.
The Duke of Sussex appeared in ITV’s Tabloids On Trial programme in the summer and during his interview, he ruled out returning to the UK with Meghan Markle and his children while his security provision remains at its current level.
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The Duke of Sussex appeared in ITV’s Tabloids On Trial programme in the summer and during his interview, he ruled out returning to the UK with Meghan Markle and his children while his security provision remains at its current level.
His upcoming appeal against a High Court ruling which dismissed his challenge against the decision to downgrade his security will be another case King Charles in particular, will be wary of Prince Harry mentioning the Royal Family.
Just weeks after Harry’s High Court appearance, which is scheduled for January 2025, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to attend the first-ever Winter Invictus Games in Canada.
The event will give a clear indication of how far the couple’s professional separation is set to go with Meghan previously attending the Invictus Games in The Netherlands and Germany with Harry.
Despite a relatively quiet 2024, Prince Harry is set for a very busy start to 2025, whether Meghan opts to accompany him in the UK and Canada is yet to be seen.
