Within the chaos, the Sussexes were able to unleash the Britain Tour

A source familiar with the figures said: “She won’t come back as a sidelined duchess. She will arrive as a successful Californian business figure, and that completely changes the dynamic.”

Another insider added: “That confidence is what confuses people. It’s the sense that she feels vindicated for leaving The Firm.”

Royal insiders are also wary of Meghan’s instinct for narrative control.

An aide said: “She understands images better than almost anyone in that family. Gardens, children, food, fashion – she knows exactly how to generate images that travel and have the power to upset the royals.”

Another palace source added: “That is why there is chaos.”

If the Sussex children – Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4 – arrived with their royal rebel parents, they would immediately become part of the story too.

A source said: “Any glimpse of the children would dominate news coverage for days. That is not something the palace can do easily.”

Meanwhile, Harry is said to view the visit as a step towards normalizing his British presence.

“For him, this is about Invictus and belonging,” said a friend. “But he knows that Meghan’s presence amplifies everything, for better or for worse.”

A senior royal watcher summed up the mood by saying: “A joint appearance in Britain by Harry and Meghan wouldn’t just be a normal visit. It would be an event. Everyone is preparing for the ‘full Meghan experience’ – because history suggests that’s exactly what they’ll get.”