King Charles was reportedly caught off guard by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return to the UK, six years after stepping away from royal duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have met the King at Highgrove House in July. However, Charles reportedly learned about their plans to return only over the weekend.
Royal expert Jennie Bond suggested the couple’s secrecy may have added to the confusion surrounding their unexpected decision.
Writing for iPaper, Bond said: “It seems to be the way they rock. Precious privacy, obsessive secrecy, and then wham bam, another bombshell. Yes, Harry and Meghan, we are indeed all gobsmacked. Furthermore, we are all left asking the same simple question: Why?”
Bond argued that Harry could have avoided much of the speculation by releasing a statement explaining the move.
“How much clearer it would all have been if he’d issued a statement explaining the decision and setting out at least some of the reasons behind it,” she wrote.
The royal commentator also claimed that Harry did not discuss the reported move with his father when they set for tea at Highgrove, leaving the King “scratching his head” over the couple’s plans.
Harry and Meghan have yet to publicly explain the reasons behind their reported return.
