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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seen in Europe for the first time since ‘Megxit’

Harry and Meghan have secretly met with the Queen and Prince Charles during a brief stopover to Windsor before the couple attended the Invictus Games at the Hague in Holland.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at the reception of the Invictus Games

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in the Netherlands following a secret meeting with the Queen and Prince Charles in the United Kingdom.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were back on home soil ahead of attending the Invictus Games at The Hague which will be the subject of their upcoming Netflix documentary film project.

It is the first time the royal couple have been pictured together in Europe since their ‘Megxit’ from the British Royal family.

They held hands to mark the start of the games looking confident and relaxed with Meghan turning heads in all white.

Prince Harry and Meghan speak with officials as they arrive ahead of The Invictus Games in The Hague. Picture: AFP
Prince Harry and Meghan speak with officials as they arrive ahead of The Invictus Games in The Hague. Picture: AFP
The couple held hands and looked relaxed as they arrived with a Netflix crew in tow. Picture: AFP
The couple held hands and looked relaxed as they arrived with a Netflix crew in tow. Picture: AFP

It comes amid criticisms the couple “exploited the Queen for Netflix”, with royal Royal biographer Tom Bower telling MailOnline he has “no doubt” it was a stunt for the cameras.

“The Queen’s advisers failed to protect her from being exploited by the Royal Family’s worst traducers, while the Sussexes exploited an old, unwell woman to boost their credibility and coffers,” he said.

The appearance at the games for disabled military veterans, which Harry founded, is their first joint trip to Britain and Europe since moving to Los Angeles in March 2020.

Prince Harry walks the yellow carpet ahead of The Invictus Games, taking place from April 16-22. Picture: AFP.
Prince Harry walks the yellow carpet ahead of The Invictus Games, taking place from April 16-22. Picture: AFP.

They missed appearing at Prince Philip’s memorial due to a legal battle with the British government over the use of metro police for his security detail.

But those concerns were seemingly put aside just two weeks later for the meeting with the Queen in Windsor Castle, about 40 kilometres from London. She will celebrate her 96th birthday in a few days on April 21.

Invictus Games Team Australia competitors Matt Model (L) and Damien Irish (R) gift a pair of Team Australia swimmers to Prince Harry. Picture: AFP
Invictus Games Team Australia competitors Matt Model (L) and Damien Irish (R) gift a pair of Team Australia swimmers to Prince Harry. Picture: AFP

The Invictus Games take place between April 16 to 22, and it’s unclear if Harry and Meghan will remain in the Netherlands for the duration or return to Britain for the Queen’s birthday before they return to the US.

The UK government withdrew his taxpayer-funded protection on visits back to Britain, a decision that Harry is challenging in the courts.

Meghan turned heads in a white double-breasted suit with white shoulder bag and stilettos. Picture: Getty Images
Meghan turned heads in a white double-breasted suit with white shoulder bag and stilettos. Picture: Getty Images
The couple spoke with officals at a reception to mark the start of the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. Picture: Getty Images
The couple spoke with officals at a reception to mark the start of the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. Picture: Getty Images

They have been given “VVIP” status by the Dutch police for their visit, allowing them to have a “high-level multi-agency protection program,” according to The Sun.

They’ve been assured there’s “no credible threat” to their safety during the visit, during which the Oscar-winning Netflix crew is expected to follow.

The crew was not seen following during their appearance with the Mayor of The Hague, Jan Van Zanen. They were cheered by members of the USA and British teams as they walked through the reception tent.

Prince Harry and Meghan meet with the Queen in secret
Read related topics:Meghan MarklePrince Harry

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-seen-in-europe-for-the-first-time-since-megxit/news-story/ee37ba148d2ce836470ebf33d1bba458