Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again found themselves at the center of royal controversy, this time accused of overshadowing the birthday celebrations of their nephew, Prince George. The criticism comes after a series of events that royal commentators have labeled as “carefully controlled” attempts to upstage the young prince’s special day.

The controversy erupted on July 22, 2024, when a new photograph of Prince George, taken by his mother, Princess Kate, was released to mark his 11th birthday. The charming image, intended to celebrate the occasion, was overshadowed by two significant moves from the Sussexes. On the same day, Prince Harry announced that the Invictus Games would be held in Birmingham, UK, in 2027, while Meghan Markle was spotted out in Montecito with actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

Former GB News host Dan Wootton was among the first to criticize the timing of Harry’s announcement. On his Outspoken programme, Wootton stated, “This is also really terrible. Prince Harry upstaged young Prince George’s lovely birthday release of those pictures by Catherine Middleton by announcing on the same day that the Invictus Games are going to be held in Birmingham in 2027. It does just show you how pathetic Prince Harry is. He knew it was George’s birthday, he knew the picture was going to be released. He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement. It’s just pathetic gameplaying yet again.”

Royal commentator Angela Levin echoed Wootton’s sentiments, suggesting that Meghan Markle’s actions were deliberate. “It’s such a shame. I think Meghan likes to do that, we’ve seen that so many times. Every time the Royal Family do something, she has to do something just before and it’s all carefully controlled. I’ve been told many times she knows exactly what she’s doing, it’s not a mistake, she’s very cautious. And Harry I suppose was told this is what he had to do,” Levin remarked.

The accusations against the Sussexes come at a time when their relationship with the rest of the royal family is already strained. Critics argue that the couple’s actions show a lack of respect and consideration for family events and milestones. This latest incident has only added fuel to the fire, reinforcing the perception that Harry and Meghan are more focused on their public image and personal projects than maintaining harmonious family relations.

Supporters of Harry and Meghan, however, have defended the couple, arguing that the timing of the Invictus Games announcement was coincidental and not intended to overshadow Prince George’s birthday. They point out that the logistics of announcing an international event like the Invictus Games are complex and that the date may have been chosen for practical reasons unrelated to the royal birthday.

Regardless of the intentions behind the Sussexes’ actions, the incident highlights the ongoing tension between them and the rest of the royal family. It also underscores the scrutiny and criticism they face for their every move, particularly when it coincides with significant events in the lives of other royals.

As the dust settles from this latest controversy, it remains to be seen how the relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family will evolve. With each side seemingly entrenched in their positions, finding a path to reconciliation appears increasingly challenging. For now, the royal family continues to navigate the complex dynamics of public life, where personal milestones can easily become the subject of public debate and scrutiny.