Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been advised to stop profiting from their royal connections if they wish to reconcile with the family.
Royal correspondent Russell Myers reported that members of the royal family have communicated to Harry that to mend their relationship, he must cease discussing them publicly. On June 19th, Myers told Sky News Australia that Harry and Meghan have utilized their royal ties to generate income through various mediums, including interviews, documentaries, and Harry's revealing memoir "Spare," published in January 2023.
Since stepping down as senior royals in 2020, the couple has achieved financial independence but continued to leverage their royal connections for monetary gain.
Myers emphasized that if Harry and Meghan want to repair their relationship with the royal family, they need to stop capitalizing on their associations with the family. He pointed out that the royal family remains united without Harry and Meghan, but if the couple wishes to mend ties, they must moderate their public statements.
This news comes after Harry and Meghan's noticeable absence from the annual Trooping the Colour, an event marking the official birthday of the British sovereign. Despite this being Princess Catherine's first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, Harry and Meghan were not invited to avoid overshadowing the occasion. Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror on June 17th that while there was brief consideration about inviting the couple, the idea was quickly dismissed. Harry and Meghan haven't attended Trooping the Colour since 2019, a year before stepping down as senior royals due to ongoing family tensions.
Since relocating to California, Meghan's home state, in June 2020, Harry has largely avoided royal engagements and Buckingham Palace. He last saw his father, King Charles, in February, shortly after it was revealed that the King had undergone surgery for an enlarged prostate and was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. This health crisis reportedly brought Harry and Charles closer together. A source told The Times on June 10th that Harry is deeply committed to supporting his father, a sentiment that has only strengthened in light of the King’s health challenges.
King Charles reportedly has regrets about how he has managed his relationship with Harry and, by extension, his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. Royal commentator Michael Cole noted that the King has seen Archie only a handful of times and has met Lilibet just once. The Sussexes did not christen Lilibet at St. George's Chapel during their last visit to the UK, missing an opportunity to integrate her into the royal family's traditions. Cole added that Charles feels a significant lack of closeness with his California-based grandchildren. He lamented that Archie and Lilibet, innocent young children, are growing up without any substantial contact with the royal family, which exacerbates the King’s sense of regret and loss.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face a critical decision if they wish to mend their strained relationship with the royal family. They must distance themselves from monetizing their royal connections and refrain from making disparaging public comments about the family. Meanwhile, King Charles's ongoing health issues have added a layer of urgency and complexity to the family dynamics, highlighting the need for reconciliation and closer familial bonds. As the Sussexes navigate their path forward, the future of their relationship with the royal family remains uncertain but crucial for all parties involved.
