Harry and Meghan promised the King: On this day they will disappear from the headlines

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to keep a low media profile on the day Prince George begins his studies at Eton this coming September. According to a report published today (Wednesday) on Fox News, a royal expert claims that the couple promised the King not to publish photos or statements on that day that could steal attention from the event. In the background is the planned return of Harry and Meghan to the UK for an extended period in the autumn, exactly when 13-year-old George, second in line to the throne, will begin a new chapter in his life.

According to broadcaster and royal expert Neil Sean, Harry and Meghan promised the King not to create a media move that would compete with major events of the royal family. "The Sussexes promised the King that they would not hijack or disrupt major royal events, and especially Prince George's first day at Eton," Sean said. According to him, in George's case, the promise includes refraining from publishing photos or statements: "Meaning, there will be no photos or reactions from either of them on that day in September."

However, there is no official confirmation from the couple regarding the existence of such an understanding. A representative for Archewell stated in response to Fox News: "That is not something we would comment on." Kensington Palace did not provide a response to the report.

Prince George is the eldest son of Prince William and Kate, and he is second in line to the British throne, right after his father. In September, he is expected to begin studying at Eton College, a prestigious and well-known school in the UK where both William and his brother Harry studied in the past.

According to royal commentator Amanda Matta, the palace sees the start of George's studies as more than just a move to a new school. "Prince George's start at Eton is not just a personal milestone; it is the beginning of his public path as heir to the throne," she said. According to her, palace officials want the attention to remain on George and not be diverted once again to the family tension surrounding Harry and Meghan. "It would certainly be a shame if his first days at Eton dragged him into a narrative of 'conflict' with his uncle and aunt," she added.

The report about the understanding comes as Harry and Meghan prepare for an extended stay in the UK this coming autumn. A spokesperson for them told The New York Times: "After a wonderful summer trip with family members and friends, Harry and Meghan have decided to spend an extended period in the UK this coming autumn. They are excited that their children will spend more time in the country that is such an important part of their family story."

Despite this, it is not a permanent return to the UK. The couple's businesses will continue to operate from the USA and they will maintain their home in California. However, the planned stay is expected to coincide with the period when George begins his studies, and therefore the possibility arises that the coverage surrounding Harry and Meghan will compete with the attention the palace seeks to give the young prince.

According to experts, even if Harry and Meghan completely refrain from publications on that day, they do not have full control over media coverage. "The Sussexes generate headlines by their very existence in the public space," Matta said. "This has been true since 2018, and it has not changed because of their place of residence or their roles."

Matta explained that even the couple's daily activity could attract attention. "Meghan going out will generate headlines even if she is just going to buy groceries or ice cream with the children," she said. According to her, because Harry and Meghan have not coordinated their personal and professional plans with the palace for years, it is more likely that this is an informal understanding regarding the days when they should keep a low profile, rather than a formal agreement between the parties.

As recalled, Harry and Meghan married in 2018, but in 2020 they decided to stop serving as senior working members of the royal family and subsequently moved to live in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Since then, the relationship between them and the members of the royal family has repeatedly been at the center of coverage, and almost every visit of theirs to the UK or statement concerning the family has become a headline.

Their planned return to the UK in the autumn now creates a sensitive situation: while Harry and Meghan are in the country, William and Kate will be preparing for a significant milestone in the life of their eldest son. If there is indeed an understanding between the couple and the King, its goal is clear – to keep the attention on George on his first day at Eton, and to prevent the tension within the royal family from taking over the headlines again.