A Buckingham Palace insider has claimed Prince Harry has earned a cutting new nickname among some royal staff amid growing frustration over the timing of Sussex announcements. The 41-year-old Duke of Sussex has reportedly become known as 'Hijack Harry' in some royal circles, with staff believing that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, have a habit of drawing attention away from major royal engagements.
Sussex Announcements Coincide with Royal Events
According to a palace source, announcements, interviews, and social media posts linked to the Sussexes often coincide with significant events involving King Charles III and the wider Royal Family. The most recent example occurred when Meghan posted a collection of previously unseen photographs from the couple's 2018 wedding, notably featuring none of Harry's family members. The post reportedly caused frustration among palace insiders because it appeared during King Charles and Queen Camilla's high-profile three-day visit to Northern Ireland.
"Harry's new nickname among some staff is 'Hijack Harry' because there's a growing feeling every major royal event is suddenly accompanied by a Sussex announcement, photograph release or intervention that is seen as a pathetic attempt to shift the spotlight back onto them," the source told RadarOnline. "People working around King Charles feel it has become predictable and increasingly deliberate."
Image Rehabilitation Campaign
Another insider claimed some advisers around the King believe Harry is attempting to restore his standing in Britain through "carefully staged" public appearances tied to emotional causes. "The feeling among critics is that every speech, article, or appearance has become part of a broader image rehabilitation campaign for Harry, but it is clashing badly with the public efforts of the rest of the royal family," the source said.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 before relocating to Montecito, California, with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, four. Since leaving royal duties, the couple have pursued a range of commercial ventures and media projects, while Meghan has increasingly shared glimpses of their private life online.
Frogmore Cottage Subdivision
The brutal nickname comes at a delicate time for the Sussexes, whose former Windsor residence, Frogmore Cottage, is set to be subdivided by the Crown. The Grade II-listed residence was transformed from five separate dwellings into a single family home ahead of the couple's wedding, although they lived there for less than a year. According to The Sun, officials are assessing whether the property could once again be divided into multiple residences.
Royal commentator and podcast host Kinsey Schofield recently told Sky News Australia the reported plans amounted to more than a simple refurbishment. She described the proposal as "not just a renovation" but a "hard reset" featuring "new paint, new decor and no Montecito memories".
Meghan's Reported Desire to Rebuild Ties
Broadcaster Mark Dolan has claimed Meghan is increasingly interested in rebuilding ties with the Royal Family following a series of setbacks in her business ventures. Dolan argued the Duchess has recognised that her independent commercial projects have struggled to gain the traction she had hoped for. "It's my understanding that Meghan has realised that her solo projects aren't working and that Meghan as this amazing independent brand is not successful," Dolan said.
He went on to claim Meghan is now eager to strengthen relationships with senior royals. "My royal insiders are telling me that she's all out now to get back to the UK to reconnect with King Charles and to effectively be Princess Meghan again," he said.
