Despite some glimmers of hope for a thawing of relations, the rift between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the Royal Family remains as pronounced as ever, according to a royal expert.

The ongoing rift between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the Royal Family, along with the ensuing turmoil, began when the pair stepped away from their royal duties in 2020, signalling a major shift in the traditional dynamics of the Monarchy. The move was driven by the pair’s desire for a more independent and private life, distancing themselves from the intense media scrutiny that had been a constant presence in their lives.

The decision was accompanied by revelations in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the couple candidly discussed their struggles within the royal institution.

Since stepping back, Prince Harry’s ties with the Royal Family have remained strained. While the odd public appearance here and there has hinted at attempts at reconciliation, the distance remains palpable.

As the feud continues, royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop recently weighed in on the matter, telling The Mirror that “despite all their well-intentioned good works and conciliatory talk in other fields, the chasm between the Sussexes and the British Royals remains as great as ever”.

“Until there is genuine open contact between the House of Windsor and the Sussexes, Harry and Meghan’s pain thesis will continue to wound, undermining credibility on both sides,” Dunlop told the publication.

“In the style of their trip to Nigeria, soon Harry and Meghan will take off for Colombia, all in the name of service. And rather than being a service that compliments the philanthropic brand the British royal family established, it will be in opposition to it. If only both parties could remember they are stronger together. That doesn’t mean a reunited Harry and Meghan inside the royal fold, but public reconciliation and communication.”

The pair’s upcoming visit to Colombia has been a source of contention among royal experts, particularly royal author Angela Levin who recently criticised the pair after Harry’s insistence on the dangers posed to his family should they return to the UK, citing specific threats that he believes make it too risky for Meghan to travel back to his homeland.

Levin questioned how he reconciles this concern with a trip to Colombia, where the UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to certain areas of the South American country.

“It is dangerous there [Colombia] at the moment”, she told GB News.

“There is a lot of people being taken away and money being demanded for them to be returned.

“It is really ridiculous and it conforms to my long term suggestion that they tried to manipulate the King.

“To have three court cases on the Home Office and saying security is why he won’t bring his wife and children when really it’s a nonsense.

“He would be well looked after with good protection, but not the very top of the tree which is just for Camilla, Charles, William and Catherine.”