Royal troubles cast shadow over William and Kate’s US tour

Carefully scripted trip had to contend with racism row and sympathy for Meghan

The Prince and Princess of Wales returned to Britain on Saturday after a three-day US trip that combined messaging, friendship-politicking and symbolism accented with celebrity name-checks.

But the trip, as carefully scripted as any, may also have missed an opportunity to tackle immediate domestic issues. Eight years ago, William and Kate were greeted by adoring crowds. The crowds were out again this week but this time around it's more tempered and more complicated", says Arianne Chernock, professor of history at Boston University, who has written widely on the role of the British royal family in America.