Harry & Meghan’s weekend at polo

Last week, when I wrote about Prince Philip’s retirement announcement and the initial speculation that it might be a Prince Harry engagement, I mentioned that these things, they happen on a schedule. Harry has been observing the royal schedule his entire life. And if he cares about Meghan as much as he seems to – what with launching that Love Shield just a month after their relationship was revealed – he will want to follow the prescribed schedule, to ensure that Meghan’s transition is as smooth as possible. You can’t skip any steps in the schedule and go straight to an engagement. As I noted, they have to lay the track. The early part of the track involves showing up at some of Harry’s events, establishing her role as his official girlfriend the way Kate Middleton did when she and Prince William got back together.

So …Will and Harry were at polo this weekend. And Meghan was there too. Afterwards they were also photographed embracing and maybe even kissing. This, clearly, is a move. Like a strategic rollout. It was a polo match with a philanthropic mission – work duty but not super, super formal. A perfect occasion for Meghan to join Harry for the first time in England and be seen. And, of course, this is three weeks before they attend Pippa Middleton’s wedding together where Meghan is attending as Harry’s proper plus one.

As for Kate, and why she wasn’t at polo, even though Will was, again, it’s too soon for that photo. You can’t blow your load in one shot. The purpose of this particular outing was establishment of status. These people, this family, they’re traditional. There is an order to things. Appearances must be observed. But for sure, for sure, this is a track. They are on a track.