The couple traveled to Jordan for a humanitarian visit with the World Health Organization, rather than on behalf of the British royal family or U.K. government

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a World Health Organisation roundtable; King Abdullah II Of Jordan

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry; King Abdullah.Credit : Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty; Borja B. Hojas/Getty

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not meet King Abdullah of Jordan during their two-day visit to the country — a notable detail during a trip that otherwise carried many hallmarks of a high-profile international visit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Jordan this week on a humanitarian visit undertaken in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and through Archewell Philanthropies, the couple’s charitable organization. The trip was not conducted on behalf of the U.K. government or the British royal family, and it did not include any ceremonial or diplomatic elements typically associated with official royal tours.

While Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, joined Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, for two days of engagements focused on humanitarian health response, mental health and support for vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement, they did not accompany him when he held an audience with King Abdullah on Feb. 25.

On that day, Dr. Tedros met with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein, the monarch’s eldest son and heir, as part of the WHO delegation’s official programming. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not present for the meeting.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meets with the King of Jordan

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meets King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan on Feb. 25, 2026.World Health Organization

Members of the British royal family routinely meet with heads of state during official overseas visits. However, Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 and now travel internationally in a private capacity, making it unsurprising that their Jordan itinerary did not include an audience with the King.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meets with the King of Jordan

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meets King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan on Feb. 25, 2026.World Health Organization

PEOPLE understands that the British royal family was informed of the Sussexes’ travel plans, which came nearly one week after the arrest of Harry’s uncle, ex-Prince Andrew. The visit was undertaken solely as a humanitarian engagement in partnership with the WHO and frontline organizations, not as a diplomatic or royal mission.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex talk with medical staff as they meet Maria, a 14 year old burn victim from Gaza, during a visit to a specialty hospital on February 25, 2025 in Amman, Jordan.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit the Specialty Hospital in Amman, Jordan on Feb. 25, 2026.World Health Organisation via Getty

Despite the absence of formal ceremonies, the trip still carried visible international weight. Harry and Meghan attended multiple site visits with WHO officials and met with partners including World Central Kitchen and Questscope, highlighting humanitarian efforts in the region.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right) attend a World Health Organisation roundtable with key donors and humanitarian partners in Amman, Jordan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a World Health Organisation roundtable with key donors and humanitarian partners in Amman, Jordan, on Feb. 25, 2026.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

On the first evening of their visit, the Duke and Duchess joined WHO officials and British Embassy staff at the British ambassador’s residence in Amman for Iftar, the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. PEOPLE understands the gathering was small and private. A statement shared on sussex.com described the evening as closing “with a renewed sense of urgency and resolve.”

Britain's King Charles III (L) greets Jordan's King Abdullah II during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London

King Charles and Jordan’s King Abdullah in February 2025.JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Gett

The Jordanian and British royal families have long-standing personal and diplomatic ties. King Charles welcomed King Abdullah to Buckingham Palace in February 2025, where he presented him with the Insignia of an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. King Abdullah and Queen Rania also attended King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in May 2023, while Prince William and Kate Middleton were guests at Crown Prince Hussein’s wedding in Jordan later that year.

Prince of Wales William and Catherine, Princess of Wales receive Jordan's Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II (2nd from R), and his wife Princess Rajwa Al Hussein (1st from R) at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, United Kingdom, on October 14, 2025.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa on Oct. 14, 2025 at Windsor Castle.Balkis Press/ABACA/Shutterstock

Crown Prince Hussein, 31, and Prince William, 43, are both heirs to their respective thrones and have spent time together in the past. The Prince and Princess of Wales hosted the Jordanian royals at Windsor Castle in October 2025, when Crown Prince Hussein and his wife, Princess Rajwa were visiting.

The longstanding ties between the British and Jordanian royal families underscored the distinction between formal diplomatic travel and the Sussexes’ visit, which followed a different model — one centered on humanitarian work rather than state representation.