Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again found themselves at the center of controversy, this time involving their Archewell Foundation’s stance on Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and its decision to drop its fact-checking program.
Their involvement in this debate raises the question: why are they really getting involved? While Princess Catherine remains focused on her recovery and Prince William steps up as a leader, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem more preoccupied with lecturing tech companies about integrity. The irony of their actions is difficult to ignore.
The timing of their latest stance is particularly intriguing. Just as Donald Trump appears to be preparing for another presidential campaign, Harry and Meghan have chosen this moment to clarify their views on social media policies. Coincidence? Unlikely. Meghan publicly called Trump misogynistic in 2016, and Harry once mocked Trump’s climate policies during a well-known prank call. This pattern of behavior is nothing new. Now, as Trump’s political ambitions remain in flux, the Sussexes appear to be provoking him yet again.
What makes this situation all the more frustrating is the stark contrast between them and the working royals. Princess Catherine has never issued political statements, nor has Prince William interfered in social media policies. They understand their roles, respect the monarchy, and take their responsibilities seriously. PR experts have noted that Trump is unlikely to ignore this latest provocation, and it’s easy to see why. The Sussexes have been antagonizing him for years, and this latest move is just another chapter in their ongoing political meddling. Meanwhile, Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation has described their intervention as highly inappropriate, and he’s absolutely right. Using royal titles to push political agendas is exactly why public perception of them has soured.
Adding to the controversy is the ongoing scrutiny over Harry’s immigration status. His admissions of past drug use in his memoir, Spare, have fueled calls for his immigration records to be released. Gardiner has been pushing for transparency, and rightfully so. If Harry and Meghan want to preach about integrity, perhaps they should start by addressing their own situation.
The hypocrisy of it all is staggering. While King Charles battles cancer and Princess Catherine focuses on her health, the Sussexes are once again dominating headlines for all the wrong reasons. Their Archewell Foundation even accused Meta of prioritizing profit over public safety—an ironic statement from a couple who have made millions airing family grievances in public. The bullying allegations against Meghan during her time at the palace only add to the contradictions. Someone accused of mistreating staff now claiming to stand against bullying is difficult to take seriously.
This latest PR stunt is just one in a long series. The Sussexes claim they want to avoid political drama, yet every move they make seems designed to generate controversy. Their foundation increasingly looks like a political tool, despite the expectation that royals remain neutral. Once, being royal was about service, not self-promotion.
Then there’s their track record. Their Netflix deal failed to impress, their Spotify contract fell apart, and now they’re latching onto social media debates to stay relevant. Meanwhile, the real working royals continue to serve with dignity and purpose.
What’s most disappointing is how much Harry has changed. Once a respected military veteran and the founder of the Invictus Games, he now seems like a spokesperson for Meghan, isolated from his family and engaging in political battles no royal should ever touch. As for Meghan, her actions have been telling from the start. From the moment she entered the royal family, she appeared to have an agenda. Now, she has everything she wanted—Harry by her side, estranged from his family, constantly in the headlines.
Instead of focusing on their supposed charitable work, the Sussexes have turned themselves into a political spectacle. For what? Relevance? Attention? A few more headlines? It would be refreshing to see them step back from the spotlight, support King Charles during his illness, or even extend a hand to Princess Catherine as she recovers. But that would require prioritizing family over fame—something that seems increasingly unlikely.
