'Complete catastrophe': Prince Harry and Meghan Markle facing 'huge test' this year, expert claims

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing a "huge test" as they navigate "divided priorities," a royal expert has claimed.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams weighed in on rumours of escalating tensions between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this week, and suggested what the future might look like for the couple in 2026.

"Harry clearly wants to do more in the UK, and rebuild a relationship with his father, while Meghan is focused on her business," he told The Mirror.

"They appear to have deeply divided priorities and needs at the moment.

"I can't see how Harry would fit into the As Ever lifestyle and cookery world, and Meghan has no affection for Britain, so there's a clear difference there.

"Harry needs something more substantial in his activities than looking on and waving from behind Meghan.

"They still seem emotionally committed to each other, but the outside noise and goings on around them as a couple is deafening at times."

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Fitzwilliams says another issue facing the couple is that the UK general public does not view Meghan in a favourable light, with the Duchess liked by just 22 per cent of the country, according to YouGov's most recent ratings.

"If Harry is keen to come to a country – and to bring his children to a country – that Meghan doesn't want to appear in, it's only going to exacerbate any difficulties between them," Fitzwilliams said.

"Her coming back could be a complete catastrophe, depending on how they managed it."

There are whispers that Meghan will return to the UK for the first time in four years for the Invictus Games in July, however, her return will depend on the outcome of a security review.

Meghan herself has disputed any split rumours with recent posts to her Instagram.

She shared a photo of the family for Christmas, showing her forehead pressed against Lilibet's head, grasping her daughter's hands.

Harry is to the left of the photo, embracing Archie and looking down at him.

The family are standing on a footbridge in the middle of a garden in the photo.

She captioned the post "Happy Holidays! From our family to yours."

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