The Prince and Princess of Wales are “not in competition” with Meghan Markle on Instagram, according to a leading royal commentator.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Richard Fitzwilliams addressed speculation about whether the Waleses would follow the Duchess of Sussex’s new Instagram account, launched on New Year’s Day under the handle @meghan.
“The last thing that William and Kate are interested in just at this moment are the activities of the Sussexes,” Fitzwilliams said.
“Following Meghan on Instagram may have been possible, but they’re not in competition with the Sussexes.”
Princess Kate and Prince William ‘not in competition with Meghan Markle’ as couple await Harry’s UK return
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The duchess’s new account currently follows no other profiles and has not received a follow from the Waleses.
Fitzwilliams further emphasised that the Sussexes’ activities have little impact on William and Kate’s work.
“I don’t think that what the Sussexes are doing in that area is something that impinges on William and Kate’s lives,” he noted.
The royal commentator acknowledged the significant media attention the Sussexes receive.
“It’s perfectly true that the Sussexes do attract enormous publicity,” Fitzwilliams said. However, he maintained there is little overlap between the couples’ endeavours.
The former working royal’s bio reads: ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’ and follows no other accounts
Instagram / @meghan
“In terms of Kate and William and what they do, I don’t think there’s an overlap there,” he stated.
Instead, Fitzwilliams suggested attention should focus elsewhere: “I do think, however, that there’ll be a lot of interest in what happens when Harry is in the witness box.”
Prince Harry is set to return to the UK later this month for his trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publishers of The Sun.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, has accused NGN of targeting him through intrusive tactics by journalists and private investigators.
The trial at the High Court will see Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson suing the publisher over alleged unlawful information-gathering and privacy breaches.
Prince Harry’s bitter legal battle against NGN set to go to trial in January 2025
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The proceedings are expected to last approximately seven weeks, with Harry facing cross-examination.
Speaking at a New York summit in December, the duke explained his motivation: “They’ve settled because they’ve had to settle. So therefore, one of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I’m the last person that can actually achieve that.”
NGN has previously denied any unlawful activity at The Sun.
Fitzwilliams highlighted that Harry’s upcoming court appearance raises significant questions for the Royal Family.
“That’s a totally different issue because it’s estimated he might be there up to four days,” he said.
King Charles and Prince Harry last met each other in February 2024
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The royal commentator noted the visit could have wide-ranging implications.
“Now, all sorts of things can come out in that respect. So that is different: where he will stay, when he will see his father, all of this, the moment Harry sets foot in Britain, that’s news, and that impinges on the royals,” Fitzwilliams explained.
Questions about potential family reunions remain prominent.
“Will he and William meet? Well you can guess the answer to that, but it’s asked, and it’s a question that will be asked, and the question also is will he see his father? Where will he stay? What is the situation regarding security, all of this?”
“So that is what the Royal Family will be concerned with, but not Meghan wandering around the beach,” he concluded.
