Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's non-appearance in a brand new royal photo suggests they have "no way back" to their former royal roles, an expert has claimed.
At the weekend, a smiling portrait was released showing King Charles alongside his heir Prince William, the new Prince of Wales, and their wives Queen Consort Camilla and the new Princess of Wales, Kate. The snap was taken at Buckingham Palace just before Charles and Camilla hosted a Buckingham Palace reception for world leaders on the eve of the Queen’s funeral. Harry and Meghan did not attend this reception - despite being in the UK at the time - as since their move to the US, they are no longer working members of the royal family.
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Getty Images)Image:
Getty Images)The couple are also known to have a rocky relationship with both the King and the Prince of Wales.
And according to royal expert Richard Kay, the photo is "yet another signal" their former royal roles are now out of reach.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: "It surely can be no coincidence that the picture was taken when the couple were still in Britain and several days before they returned home to their children Archie and Lilibet. It must, therefore, be yet another signal that they will never again return to their central role in royal life.
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"In America, they are at the centre of their own production. But in Britain, there is a new royal order – and it revolves around four people, not six.
"There is a finality about this photo that suggests there is no way back for a couple who could have been at the epicentre of royalty but are now at its margins."
The release of the new photo comes amid reports advisors to King Charles are worried over the impact that Harry's upcoming memoir could have on his reign.
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REUTERS)The first 100 days of being monarch are said to be seen by Charles' team as the milestone in which to set the tone of his sovereignty.
Much like for every incumbent president in the US, this exact number of days is being used as a benchmark to judge how effective the King's rule has been.
A royal insider said the first 100 days are crucial and that Charles understands he cannot take the "goodwill" of the people for granted, reports MailPlus.
However, people close to the King are reportedly concerned that any purported 'truth bombs' revealed in Harry's book could damage the King's reputation during this period.
A Palace source told the publication: "His Majesty will build on the points he has expressed to the nation: now that the period of mourning is over, he will support diversity, promote community spirit and protect the space for those with faith and those without.
"He is mindful that, as King, his interests and passions will continue but that… some of his previous commitments will now continue in the trusted hands of others."