Prince Harry and Meghan Markle outdone by William and Kate Middleton's 'brat summer' - expert
Prince Harry and Meghan's past few weeks have been very different to those of the Prince and Princess of Wales - and one expert believes it was one couple who had a clear 'slam dunk' during the summer season
![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle outdone by William and Kate Middleton's 'brat summer' - expert](https://europe.easybranches.com/uploads/news/2024/08/6712149.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ' time-consuming' royal-style tour was in direct contrast to a summer 'slam-dunk' lasting just seconds by the Prince and Princess of Wales, according to a royal expert.
Both couples have spent their time very differently in recent weeks w ith the Sussexes embarking on a glitzy four-day trip to Colombia, for what was dubbed a DIY royal tour. Elsewhere, Prince William and Kate have largely stayed out of the limelight and the princess continues her recovery from cancer.
However, they did make a very brief appearance in an Instagram video praising Team GB's performance at the Paris Olympics, which sent fans wild thanks to their laid-back style and William's holiday beard.
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![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their four-day tour of Colombia](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article33512744.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_The-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Sussex-Colombia-Visit-Day-4.jpg)
And according to royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, it has been a summer tale of two halves when it comes to the royal couples with one pair scoring a "clear ace" and another forced to toil away to keep "their brand on point".
She told the Mirror : "Nowadays royalty’s summer story is a tale of two halves. On the one hand, there is the Sussexes’ recent visit to Columbia confirming what we already knew - Harry is most comfortable doing what he was trained for from birth: glad-handing, gushing, ribbon-cutting, dancing, and even trying his hand Spanish. (In 1981 when his mother Diana, delivered her first public speech in Cardiff City Hall, half was in Welsh.)
"Dubbed the DIY royal tour, the Sussexes have found their sweet spot visiting countries (Colombia, Nigeria) in need of an international uptick. So far so good. But let's not pretend that this is easy work. Meghan wriggled in and out of 11 designer outfits in four days; previously the Duchess has been known to use Adele's stylist and this trip’s wardrobe had all the hallmarks of a professional overhaul.
![William and Kate appeared fleetingly in a Insta video congratulating Team GB on its performance at the Olympics](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article33512745.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_Prince.jpg)
![The Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour earlier this summer](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article33047596.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_TOPSHOT-BRITAIN-ROYALS-TROOPING.jpg)
"The couple were guests of Columbia’s vice president and full security was provided but without support from the British monarchy planning trips like these is time-consuming and expensive. And to keep their brand on point the Sussexes need to keep delivering…
"Back in Britain meanwhile beyond a couple of glory monuments at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, William and Kate have had an understandably quiet summer. Yet all it took from the Prince and Princess of Wales was one brief Instagram appearance alongside the real star of the Olympics, USA’s Snoop Dog, for the couple to slam-dunk the season with a clear ace.
"William surprised with stubble and Snoop Dog signed off 'on behalf of…the Prince and his lovely wife'. Royal fans swooned. Even my teenage daughter mustered vague interest – this was royalty's own version of "brat summer".
Now going forward in the weeks ahead, it appears William and Kate along with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will head to Balmoral for the royals' annual summer break. It's still unclear what Harry and Meghan next have up their sleeves after claims they weren't invited to the Scottish Highlands estate.
And Tessa added: "William and Kate will cap off the season with a trip to Scotland ’s Balmoral, a cheering sign in the wake of the Princess of Wales's earlier cancer diagnosis. Behind castle walls, Kate will be well looked after by the royal institution she has come to personify.
"But still on the outside is her brother-in-law Harry. There is no word of his arrival, presumably, the freelance prince will be too busy planning the Sussexes' next big move."
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