Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were involved in a notable incident during their final appearance as senior working royals at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. At this event, the couple was unexpectedly seated in the second row, a change from what was initially planned. They were seen engaging with Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie. This seating arrangement change was reportedly disappointing for the Sussexes, with Harry believed to be particularly affected.

The service marked one of the first public reunions of Prince Harry and Prince William following the announcement by Harry and Meghan in 2020 that they intended to step back from their royal duties. The interaction between the two brothers was minimal, evident by their brief and seemingly formal exchanges.

This episode comes amid ongoing discussions about the dynamics within the royal family following the Sussexes’ decision to pursue a more independent life away from full-time royal duties.

Separately, on his first visit to the UK since February, Prince Harry attended the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London without Meghan. His visit overlapped with other high-profile royal engagements, sparking speculations of a possible meeting with his father, King Charles. Commentator Jennie Bond reflected on this period as a challenging time for Harry, suggesting that his past decisions lead to significant personal ramifications within the family context. Bond characterized the path to family reconciliation as “rocky” and fraught with difficulties emerging from past decisions.