The Harry ‘n’ Meghan circus shows no sign of coming to an end

It seemed fitting that, for her return to Britain, Meghan Markle was joined at the One Young World summit in Manchester by none other than Sir Bob Geldof. The presence – on a Monday, no less – of the Boomtown Rats hitmaker-turned-all-purpose humanitarian was designed to show the worthy company that the Duchess of Sussex keeps these days. But it also ran the risk of suggesting that she, too, is in danger of repeating her single greatest hit all too often. Does Meghan still have a loyal audience, or is her schtick in danger of wearing thin?

She decided to be emollient. Although recent press interviews with her have trotted out well-worn attack lines – the Royal Family are awful, I’m a victim – there was less sign of the woe-is-me incarnation of Meghan on stage in Manchester. Clad in the kind of statement red ensemble that fashion watchers describe as ‘bold’, and others might term simply ‘provocative’, it was clear within seconds of her beginning her speech that she was no scarlet woman.