Echo Comment on the return of Harry and Megan

For the royal family, it is most likely to be the opposite.

Away over the pond, Harry and Megan were out of sight and largely out of mind – the only times they were noticed was when they made an embarrassing television appearance which could be laughed away.

Now, though, they are going to be back in our faces, demanding privacy through the most public of headlines as they create some form of a rival court to the House of Windsor.

Some people will dismiss this as an irrelevant soap opera, but that is not the case.

There is now going to be a never-ending debate about security and who pays for it, which in turn will lead to scrutiny of Harry’s finances – how can someone without a real job afford homes outside London, in Montecito and in Portugal as well as a £9.5m legal bill? Extravagance will not sit well with ordinary people struggling with a cost of living crisis.

And Britain, which is experiencing a never-ending churn of prime ministers, needs a stable royal family. Now public pressure has forced out Andrew – which Harry should take as a warning – the royals are trying to present a stable, worthwhile image as William prepares to take over from his father.

Harry and Megan letting off fireworks will damage all that.

We do not wish Harry ill, but we do hope for quiet, for a respect for his brother and father, and for the country.