Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘Tried to Enforce’ 1 Royal Rule at the Invictus Games — Commentator

TL:DR: 

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the Invictus Games in April 2022.
• A royal commentator and reporter says they didn’t want journalists “asking questions of them.” 
• They also said questions could result in dismissal from the Invictus Games.

No questions, please. A royal reporter says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Invictus Games appearance had the pair trying to “enforce” a rule the British royal family typically uses in navigating their complicated relationship with the press. The rule? Journalists can’t ask questions. 

Meghan and Harry went to The Hague for the Invictus Games in April 2022

The Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, were a major event on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s calendar. It marked their first big joint outing of the year after accepting an honor at the NAACP Image Awards in February 2022. 

Harry and Meghan’s Invictus Games appearance spanned a weekend. It came after a stop in England to visit Queen Elizabeth II. The pair kicked off the competition together attending a number of events over a three-day period. Meghan introduced Harry at the opening ceremony and they even shared an onstage kiss.

Much like the Invictus Games of the past, Meghan and Harry cheered on athletes, participated in photo ops, and engaged in PDA. At the close of the weekend, Meghan left the Invictus Games while Harry, the games’ founder, stayed.

A royal reporter says questions meant being ‘thrown out’ of the Invictus Games

Apparently, questions were a no-go at the Invictus Games. Royal reporter Richard Palmer told The Royal Round Up, per Express, Meghan and Harry wanted journalists to refrain from any inquiries whatsoever.

“It’s quite interesting, actually, I was talking to a few people who were out in The Hague for the Invictus Games, where this particular interview [Harry’s NBC Today interview] was given,” Palmer said, referring to Harry’s conversation with Hoda Kotb in which he said he’s making sure Queen Elizabeth’s “protected.” 

Palmer continued, saying despite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping back from their senior royal roles they’re still behaving as such.

“Even though they are no longer working members of the royal family, both Harry and Meghan were trying to still enforce the rules and engagements that exist between the media and the Palace when members of the royal family go out on official engagements,” he said.

Palmer went on, sharing one journalist told him questions would result in dismissal from the games. 

“You know, like a Dutch journalist was telling me that they were essentially told if you start asking questions of them then, you know, you’ll be thrown out,” he revealed. 

“I just don’t know what they expect people to behave like that,” Palmer added. 

Being a royal correspondent is ‘very tricky’ with the ‘rules of engagement’

Palmer also discussed the job of being a royal correspondent, noting the unique challenge that comes with it. It’s a “very tricky area as a royal correspondent” attending royal engagements, he said. “You are always dying to ask questions, or whatever, but the rules of engagement are that you don’t ask questions.”