Harry, Meghan made Charles’ slimmed-down monarchy ‘difficult’

King Charles’ “slimmed-down” monarchy seems to be in a crisis ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their grand exit from the royal family in 2020.

According to expert Gareth Russell, the couple’s departure has made it “very difficult” for them to come back into the royal family fold and take on engagements on behalf of Charles, 75.

“Buckingham Palace could not have been any more clear than the initial announcement in 2020 of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving, that the royal household would be quite willing or quite eager to have [them] back at some time in the future,” the commentator told GB News recently.

When the Invictus Games founder, 39, and the former actress, 42, opted to leave the Firm at the time, they released a statement saying: “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

“The Palace” author added that in 2020, Charles still “hoped” that “one day” Harry and Markle “would want to come back to work again.”

He continued: “Unfortunately what has happened in the two or three years since that announcement has made it very difficult.”

“In 2023, the monarchy was never intended to be functioning without the Duke of Sussex,” Russell said. “The King had always, I think, intended to have both of his sons and their spouses whoever they may be senior working royals.”

When the former Prince of Wales ascended to the British throne in September 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, he noted a desire to shrink the family to having just seven key senior members taking on major royal responsibilities.

Top-ranking constituents that would be included in this streamlined monarchy are Charles, his wife, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, as well as Prince Edward and his spouse, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

Disgraced Prince Andrew is not among the senior royals due to his friendship with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Queen Elizabeth also stripped him of his royal and military titles in early 2022.

Charles’ need to reduce the number of members who undertake official engagements could also be because of financial matters.

According to The Times, lessening the amount of people who take on official duties could mean decreasing who is paid for by the sovereign grant — public funds from the government used to support the monarchy.