Harry and Meghan reveal ‘sensitivity’ by ‘avoiding’ awkward clash with William

Prince Harry and Meghan surprised many with their unexpected trip to Jordan with the World Health Organisation – and one royal expert believes it showed one thing when it came to Prince William

Prince Harry and Meghan seemingly caught everyone off guard when they announced an unexpected overseas trip. Just hours before they arrived, it was revealed they would be visiting Jordan alongside a delegation from the World Health Organisation.

There over a packed two days, they visited medical evacuees from Gaza, heard from the World Central Kitchen, visited Jordan’s National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts and comforted cancer patients at the country’s hospital for the disease. In the past, the Sussexes have been accused of stealing the thunder of their estranged royal relatives when it comes to carrying out high profile visits.

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Just weeks ago, Harry’s estranged brother Prince William also visited the Middle East on a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia. But according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, it appears Harry and Meghan want to have a more collaborative approach.

She told the Mirror : “I understand that they gave advanced notice of this trip to Buckingham Palace, so it is encouraging that they seem to be trying to coordinate with the royal diaries.

“It might have been awkward if this visit had come before William’s trip to Saudi Arabia, but by going afterwards it seems to me that Harry and Meghan are showing they are now sensitive to potential clashes.”

The two-day trip also caused some raised eyebrows after it emerged the couple spent time with the British ambassador to Jordan. But Jennie hit back: “I can’t see any reason why Harry and Meghan shouldn’t visit places in the world where they think they can do some good. If people want to dub it a quasi-royal tour, then frankly that’s their problem.

“It seems quite natural to me that they would want to see the results of their support for the WHO projects — through donations from their Archewell Foundation — and assess whether they can do more to help. I think they needed time when they left the royal family to settle down and sort out their priorities.”

At the end of the trip, Harry gave a rare TV interview to Channel 4 News, where he said food and medical aid corridors need to be opened to help people in Gaza.

Harry was speaking after hearing an update on the situation from World Central Kitchen, which provides fresh meals in response to crises.

Echoing the thoughts of WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, the duke said there is a need for “full access for humanitarian organisations to be able to deliver that aid to the people that need it the most”. Harry and Meghan also met children at a refugee camp at the invitation of Dr Tedros, according to the programme.

The duke said “it was a really important time for us to collaborate and come here and shine a light and focus on the very real humanitarian catastrophe that has happened and continues”.

And Jennie explained: “Like his mother, Harry is at heart a humanitarian, and I think all he wants to do is use the influence he has to improve people’s lives and draw attention to some of the conflict areas in the world. That’s a noble aspiration, and I hope people don’t sneer at his and Meghan‘s efforts.”