Prince Harry’s Anxiety Exposed as President Donald Trump’s State Visit Leaves Sussexes on Edge
Prince Harry’s struggles with anxiety have been thrust into the spotlight as royal commentators suggest the Duke of Sussex may have been keeping a low profile during President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
The historic event, hosted at Windsor Castle with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, was filled with pomp and ceremony as the United States and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their close ties. But behind the grandeur, all eyes also turned to whether Harry and Meghan Markle would make a move that could distract from the pageantry.
According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, the Sussexes have been unusually quiet in recent weeks, possibly out of concern that any public appearance or announcement could be seen as disruptive during Trump’s time in Britain.
“I’d be surprised if the Sussexes do anything this week that might annoy,” Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail. “The British put on such a ceremonial show. It’s amazing and intentionally designed to impress President Trump. If the Sussexes made a move that distracted us, as they have from time to time when there’ve been important royal events, it would not only be outrageous, but it would draw Trump’s eye.”
This warning highlights the delicate balancing act Prince Harry faces whenever major royal occasions are underway. His anxiety, particularly about being accused of overshadowing the monarchy, appears to be a driving factor in his decision-making.
Fitzwilliams noted that Meghan Markle has also been careful to avoid political entanglements, pointing to her recent Bloomberg Originals interview where she declined to wade into partisan debates. “Meghan, she actually showed sense in not answering political questions,” he remarked.
The expert suggested that President Trump himself is keen to avoid conflict with the Sussexes, largely to protect his strong relationship with King Charles. “The reason President Trump wants to leave Harry alone, of course, is that he doesn’t want any glitches with King Charles,” Fitzwilliams explained. “Can you just imagine what would happen if they tried to throw him out? He would contest it in court, and this would be a member of the British Royal Family involved in a court case in America. It would harm Trump’s links with the royals because it’s the last thing King Charles would want.”
Prince William’s stance was also referenced, with Fitzwilliams adding that the Prince of Wales would hardly want his younger brother embroiled in such controversies. “I shouldn’t think William would want that either. I mean they might be landed with him back there,” he said, hinting at the awkward implications of Harry trying to return to royal life in any capacity.
Read More: US President Donald Trump Shocks Windsor Castle Audience with Rare Gesture Toward Kate Middleton
At the same time, Fitzwilliams could not resist taking a jab at Harry, recalling his interview with The Guardian in Ukraine where the Duke insisted he had “no regrets” about his memoir Spare. The commentator found Harry’s choice of platform ironic. “Suddenly you decide that you’re going to give an interview saying, ‘I regret nothing’ to a Republican newspaper [The Guardian leans left and is anti-monarchy]. I mean, it’s utterly weird.”
For the expert, the Sussexes’ silence during Trump’s visit is not accidental. He believes it reflects Harry’s awareness that “serious national issues are being discussed” and that inserting himself into the spotlight at such a moment could backfire badly.
Observers have noted that Harry’s anxiety has been visible in past instances where he seemed unsure of his place within the royal framework. His absence from Trump’s high-profile meetings with the royals may have been a calculated decision to avoid further criticism.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle’s avoidance of political commentary also signals that the couple is wary of being painted as disruptive during moments of global diplomacy. Their allies suggest the pair want to be seen as independent but not reckless, even if their critics remain skeptical.
Still, the royal commentator’s remarks reinforce a long-standing perception that Harry and Meghan’s presence looms large over the monarchy, even when they remain silent. For many, their absence during Trump’s state visit was just as noticeable as their presence might have been.
As Prince Harry continues to navigate the tension between his personal choices and royal expectations, moments like this reveal the depth of his inner struggles. His anxiety may be compounded by the pressure of knowing that any move whether he speaks out or stays silent still it can spark global headlines.
For now, the Sussexes appear to have chosen restraint. But experts warn that their next step will once again be scrutinized, especially if they break their silence with new revelations once the dust from Trump’s visit settles.
