Couple's public announcement in 2016 said to have overshadowed Charles’s carefully planned Gulf tour
In 2016, Meghan Markle and Harry publicly announced their relationship, a move that reportedly left King Charles feeling "crushed" as it shifted global attention away from his diplomatic tour of the Persian Gulf. At the time, Charles, then the Prince of Wales, had been preparing for a critical meeting with the King of Bahrain during a meticulously planned tour.
Royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, in Finding Freedom, described the impact on Charles's team, which had invested months in ensuring the tour would capture widespread media attention. However, the couple’s announcement quickly dominated headlines. Charles, who was given just 20 minutes' notice before Harry’s statement was released, felt sidelined as the news of the couple's relationship took centre stage, overshadowing his diplomatic efforts.
Harry's statement, issued by Kensington Palace, not only confirmed the relationship but also condemned the media's treatment of Meghan, marking a pivotal moment for the royal family.
