The British royal family is undergoing significant changes, marked by a noticeable reduction in its visible members.
During the recent Trooping the Colour on June 15th, only 15 members of the monarchy appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony. This event, which traditionally features dozens of aristocrats in the line of succession and their families, was much more subdued this year. This shift aligns with King Charles III's vision for a streamlined monarchy, a vision that his heir, Prince William, intends to continue when he ascends to the throne. According to a close friend of the Prince of Wales, once the older members of the family retire, there won't be any new working royals invited into the fold.
This decision has significant implications for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020. Sources reveal that Harry and Meghan are increasingly anxious about their dwindling opportunities to reconcile with the royal family and reclaim their royal status. Initially, the Sussexes were eager to sever ties with "the Firm" and were indifferent to Charles's plans for a slimmer monarchy. However, as they face the harsh realities of life outside the royal bubble, they are realizing that time may be running out for any potential reconciliation. With King Charles III reportedly facing serious health issues and Prince William prepared to take on the role of monarch, the window for reestablishing their royal standing is closing fast.
Life outside the palace has been particularly challenging for Prince Harry, especially without his father's financial support. Unlike Meghan, who had some experience and connections in Hollywood, Harry was unprepared for the demands of living in the real world. He struggled with managing household expenses, staff, security costs, and the complexities of starting a business. While Harry sought independence, the ventures that he and Meghan pursued have had mixed success. Despite a royal tour of Nigeria and ongoing projects like their Netflix deal and the Invictus Games, they have faced numerous setbacks. Staff turnover at their production company, the abrupt end of their Spotify podcasting contract, and underwhelming donations to their Archewell Foundation are just a few examples.
Amid these struggles, Meghan has reportedly reached out to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, seeking to mend fences despite their past public criticisms. According to sources close to Meghan, she regrets how things unfolded and never intended to harm Catherine. However, Catherine's loyalty to Prince William is unwavering, and she fully supports his vision for a smaller monarchy. This stance aligns with Queen Elizabeth II's precedent of disinviting Harry and Meghan from the balcony during her Platinum Jubilee. The cold reception the Sussexes received from the family during that event was a stark reminder of their new status. Publicly ostracized and relegated to the background, Harry and Meghan felt the repercussions of their choices.
Realistically, it may be too late for Harry and Meghan to make amends. The possibility of them returning to the Firm as working royals with the same privileges they once enjoyed seems increasingly unlikely. As one source put it, "Harry and Meghan made their choice, and now they must live with it." This sentiment is expected to hold, especially under Prince William's future reign, reinforcing the idea that the couple's departure from royal duties is permanent.
