Foreign Office distances itself from Harry and Meghan’s ‘inappropriate’ visit to Jordan’s UK embassy
UK Government Takes Step Back From Harry and Meghan’s Recent Middle East Journey
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced criticism after their visit to the UK embassy in Jordan sparked questions about their status as private citizens. The Daily Mail reports that the British Government has distanced itself from the couple’s trip, which included a two-day stay in Amman, despite their claims of independent humanitarian work.
Embassy Hosted by British Ambassador, Not Officially Invited
Philip Hall, the British Ambassador to Jordan, was reportedly the host for the Sussexes during their time in the country. However, the Foreign Office has not confirmed this, with a source stating that the ambassador did not extend an invitation to the couple. Instead, the invitation was extended by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who then included Harry and Meghan as guests.
“They are not working royals and do not represent the British Government or UK PLC. Given their capacity to say unhelpful things which border on political, giving them an official platform could be construed as them saying something that represents official UK policy.” — Former Tory minister Tim Loughton, commenting on the Sussexes’ participation in the event.
The couple’s attendance at the British Ambassador’s Iftar reception—held during Ramadan—has raised eyebrows. A source confirmed that the event was initially intended for WHO officials, with the Sussexes joining as guests. Despite this, the Foreign Office has declined to comment on the arrangement, emphasizing their status as private individuals.
Jordanian Royal Connections Remain Strong
Though the Sussexes were not formally invited by the Jordanian royal family, their trip coincided with a close relationship between Jordan and the UK. King Abdullah II, who has longstanding ties to the British Royal Family, met King Charles during an official visit to London last year. Queen Rania, Abdullah’s wife, was a special guest at the coronation and shared discussions with Queen Camilla on women’s issues.
Crown Prince Hussein, the king’s son, has also maintained friendly ties with Prince William. The pair spent time together in Britain and Jordan, including a joint visit to an RAF base. Recently, William and Kate attended Hussein’s wedding in 2023, highlighting their personal connections.
Humanitarian Efforts and Unofficial Engagement
Harry and Meghan used their trip to meet refugees from Syria and Gaza as part of their partnership with the WHO. The Duchess of Sussex visited the National Centre, showcasing their commitment to global causes. However, the absence of formal meetings with the Jordanian royal family has left some questions about the extent of their official involvement.
While the Sussexes claimed their visit was purely humanitarian, a Jordanian source noted: “There is no meeting scheduled between the Duke and Duchess [of Sussex] and the Jordanian royal family.” The only royal encounter was a brief meeting with Princess Basma Bint Talal, an aunt of King Abdullah, during a charity event organized by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development.
Amid the controversy, a royal insider described the Sussexes’ appearance at the ambassador’s reception as an “intriguing” aspect of their trip. The source added: “Once again, British diplomats are involved,” suggesting that the Foreign Office’s role remains ambiguous despite the couple’s assertions of independence.
