THE recent trip to Jordan by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is yet more evidence of the couple’s desperate need to stay ‘royal’, and no doubt another opportunity for Meghan to have her royal status validated whilst the crisis of the monarchy deepens. Jordan was simply the latest attempt at a humanitarian photoshoot, as in the previous forays to Colombia and Nigeria.
However, rather than stirring the devotion and respect often shown to the Prince and Princess of Wales, they managed to irritate officials, confuse protocol and offend groups who didn’t appreciate being used as props in the Sussexes’ quest for relevance. The trip has been criticised as an ‘unofficial royal tour’ which caused tension because they were treated as if they were representing the monarchy, despite having stepped down. It blurred the line between private individuals and representatives of the Crown, creating diplomatic ambiguity.
The only real relevance the performative Ms Markle pursues is photo ops and self-promotion using her royal connection which ironically she has bad-mouthed since the couple’s ‘freedom flight’ of 2020. The Jordan trip was part of the plan – a serious humanitarian crisis reduced to a backdrop for curated images of Meghan in soft lighting, chin lowered just so, eyes cast in the perfect angle of Diana-esque ‘concern’.
This latest jaunt is yet another grift – an attempt at revitalising the Sussex brand which has a record of disasters, the latest scheme, As Ever, being the latest failure, with a warehouse full of unsold pretentious tat including candles that do not contain a wick, as has been demonstrated by many a YouTuber.
During this trip, yet again Meghan appeared to be channelling her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, being snapped kicking a football (Catherine is a keen rugby supporter and not averse to a kick-around). There are numerous examples of Catherine appearing in certain situations or clothing, followed by parodies by Ms Markle. The Duchess seems to be obsessed with the Princess of Wales and the late Princess Diana, the former because she is in the elevated position Markle covets and the latter because of vast fame and image.
The most disturbing example of this came last year, when Meghan was photographed in the back seat of a car being driven near the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, the site of Diana’s death. The image was so contrived, so symbolically heavy‑handed, that it bordered on grotesque. It was as if she were auditioning for the role of Diana in her own imagined biopic.
For all this supposed compassion and emotional sensitivity, Meghan’s concern seems remarkably selective. She can fly to Jordan to be photographed with injured children from Gaza, but she cannot pick up the phone to her own father, who recently had a leg amputation. The contrast is glaring. Her humanitarian instincts appear to activate only when there is a camera present, a global audience watching, or an opportunity to position herself among influential people.
Her use of her own children follows the same pattern of contradiction. She insists that children should not be visible online, yet she releases carefully staged shots of Archie and Lilibet with their backs to the camera – enough to generate headlines, but not enough to undermine the narrative of privacy. It is a strategy, not a principle.
Angela Levin, Harry’s official biographer, said in a recent interview with Mark Dolan of TalkTV: ‘I think [Harry] wants to undermine his father.
‘It is controversial because they weren’t asked to do this . . . they weren’t given the authority . . . and how badly they have behaved has shocked everyone including the British Ambassador. They didn’t ask for permission.
‘Harry struck me as doing what he did when he was dressed up in a Nazi uniform with a swastika on his arm because he knew that the scarf that they wear signifies that they are Hamas. He also did the hand gesture which means “we are one of you”.’
During the unofficial visit, the Jordanian royal family swerved the Sussexes which speaks volumes, as their allegiance lies with William and Catherine who are friends of the family. The Princess of Wales lived in Jordan as a child, when her father Michael Middleton worked for British Airways. William and Catherine are often guests of the Jordanian royal family, attending family weddings and spending time together at various royal events.
It could hardly have been made clearer to the Sussexes that – by their own choice – they are now outside the royal circle.
