Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in Jordan for a visit centred on humanitarian work, but without any formal engagement with the country’s senior royals.
While the duke and duchess met health officials, aid partners, and young people at refugee initiatives, their trip has drawn attention for the absence of meetings with the Jordanian royals.
The involvement of British diplomats has also sparked debate about Prince Harry and Meghan’s trip, adding a political undercurrent to what was otherwise a charity-focused tour.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Trip To Jordan
Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly received a subdued reception during their brief visit to Jordan, with no formal engagement arranged between them and the country’s senior royals.
Harry and Meghan arrived in Amman late Tuesday and quickly began a packed schedule of humanitarian-focused appearances.
Their itinerary has included visits to local charities and health-related initiatives, as well as a gathering at the British Ambassador’s residence attended by World Health Organization (WHO) representatives and embassy staff.
According to the Daily Mail, the ambassador’s involvement has prompted criticism in some quarters, given the couple’s status as non-working royals.
No Royal Audience For The Sussexes During Jordan Visit
Mirrorpix / MEGA
Despite Harry and Meghan’s presence in Amman, local sources indicated that they were “snubbed” by the senior royals as “there is no meeting scheduled between the Duke and Duchess [of Sussex] and the Jordanian Royal Family.”
The only Jordanian royal the couple reportedly encountered was Princess Basma Bint Talal, an aunt of the King, during a visit connected to the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development.
Instead of appearing alongside Harry and Meghan, Abdullah held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and separately met WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Official photographs from those meetings did not include the Sussexes, even though their Archewell Foundation has partnered with the WHO.
Observers have speculated whether the absence of a royal welcome reflects scheduling conflicts or a more deliberate distancing.
Some royal commentators suggest that, given the close relationship between the Jordanian and British royal households, dating back to the friendship between the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Hussein, a formal audience might have been expected.
One royal insider said Harry and Meghan may be “disappointed” not to have been able to meet the King or Crown Prince of Jordan.
“It’s a pseudo royal visit, mimicking many of the things they or William and Kate would have done when they were part of the Firm, but it seems to be lacking in the ceremonial side of things,” the source said, per the Daily Mail.
The Jordanian Royals Have A Great Relationship With The British Royal Family
MEGA
Jordan’s King, King Abdullah II, maintains longstanding ties with the British Royal Family.
He has shared warm public moments with King Charles III, including during an official visit to London last year. Abdullah and Queen Rania were prominent guests at the British coronation, where Queen Rania also met with Queen Camilla to discuss issues affecting women.
The Jordanian heir, Crown Prince Hussein, is also known to have a friendly rapport with Prince William.
The two have spent time together both in Jordan and the UK, including attending a World Cup match and carrying out a joint visit to RAF Benson. William and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, were also guests at Hussein’s 2023 wedding.
Tim Loughton Questions UK Diplomatic Role In Hosting Prince Harry And Meghan Markle In Jordan
James Whatling / MEGA
While the Sussexes were not received by Jordan’s senior royals, they were greeted by British diplomatic staff upon arrival.
That involvement has drawn criticism from former Conservative minister Tim Loughton, who questioned the appropriateness of hosting the couple at the British Ambassador’s official residence.
Loughton said he found it surprising that Ambassador Philip Hall had extended such a formal reception, particularly given the Duke and Duchess’s decision to step back from royal duties and present themselves as private citizens.
Hall reportedly expressed his appreciation for their visit during a roundtable event that included representatives from the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
“Your visit, your support, your appreciation of the efforts that the United Nations, including, of course, the World Health Organization, the government of Jordan, and others, are making here is enormously appreciated,” he said.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Loughton explained that Harry and Meghan “are not working royals and do not represent the British Government or UK PLC.”
He added, “Given their capacity to say unhelpful things which border on political, giving them an official platform could be construed as them saying something that represents official UK policy.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Visit Jordan Refugee Camp And Back Child Medical Evacuation Efforts
MEGA
Beyond the diplomatic discussions, Harry and Meghan focused their visit on humanitarian outreach.
At the invitation of Dr. Tedros, they met health officials and aid partners before travelling north to Za’atari Refugee Camp, one of the region’s largest settlements for displaced families.
There, they toured a youth centre run by Questscope, which provides art, music, and sports programmes aimed at supporting young people’s wellbeing.
The couple joined children in a football match, observed music sessions featuring traditional Arabic instruments, and met teenagers taking part in creative workshops designed to offer both education and psychosocial support.
Their programme also includes meetings with health and humanitarian teams coordinating relief efforts across the region.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
