Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s original request for a “half-in, half-out” role within the monarchy was rejected, but one royal expert now believes the Sussexes have gradually created something remarkably similar on their own.

Six years after stepping away from royal duties, the couple continue to undertake public engagements and overseas tours that resemble traditional royal work, despite no longer being working members of the Firm.

Harry and Meghan had originally wanted to retain some official responsibilities while pursuing a more independent life. The proposal was rejected by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

However, royal expert Jennie Bond believes the Sussexes may now have achieved much of what they were seeking.

‘They should have been allowed’

Writing for The i-Paper, Bond argued that Harry’s increasing involvement in charitable causes and his regular trips connected to Ukraine could be viewed as a version of the role he and Meghan had once requested.

“If we do start seeing him at more charity events over here, as well as conducting his now quite regular visits to Ukraine, perhaps you could argue that he has achieved what he asked for in the first place,” Bond wrote.

She noted that it is not exactly the “half-in, half-out” arrangement originally proposed, but Harry is now able to participate in traditional-style engagements without being part of the royal institution.

Bond went further, saying she believed Harry and Meghan should have been permitted to pursue such an arrangement from the beginning.

In her view, the decision not to grant their request came at a significant cost to the monarchy and the family.

She argued that the Royal Family lost two people who could potentially have helped strengthen links between the Crown and Britain’s diverse communities.

“William lost his brother,” Bond added.

Harry brings his family back to Britain

Harry’s relationship with Britain has remained complicated, particularly amid his continuing dispute over publicly funded security.

Nevertheless, he traveled to the UK in July this year for the countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games.

Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also accompanied him, although the family largely remained away from the public spotlight.

The Sussexes are said to have visited Princess Diana’s grave at Althorp during the trip, giving Harry an opportunity to introduce his children to part of their family heritage.

Bond suggested that Harry is likely to want Archie and Lilibet to experience another important part of his life when the Invictus Games return next year.

“Next year, he will undoubtedly want to bring them to one of his most cherished causes, the Invictus Games,” she wrote.

Could Diana’s anniversary bring the brothers together?

The 2027 Invictus Games will take place in a particularly significant year for the Spencer family, as it will also mark the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

For Bond, that creates the possibility of an especially meaningful moment: reconciliation between Diana’s two sons.

She suggested that a reunion between Prince William and Prince Harry could serve as a powerful tribute to their mother on the anniversary of her death.

But according to Bond, the greatest obstacle may now be William rather than Harry.

“If Harry’s fire has been quelled, the anger smoldering inside William – who is known to be a stubborn character – could be much harder to extinguish,” she wrote.

And if the brothers are ever to call a truce, Bond believes the decision may ultimately have to come from the Prince of Wales.

“If any truce is to be called, it will be William who does the calling.”

A possible thaw with King Charles

The comments come after signs that Harry and Meghan and King Charles may have begun extending an olive branch to one another following years of tension.

Last month, Harry and his family were also able to spend time in the UK, while King Charles reportedly met Archie and Lilibet privately for the first time in four years.

For now, the relationship between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family remains complicated. But with Harry increasingly returning to causes connected to his royal past — and the 2027 Invictus Games approaching — attention is once again turning to whether the family can move beyond its long-running divisions.