King Charles’s latest decision is nothing short of a strategic masterstroke, perfectly illustrating how far Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have distanced themselves from the world they once belonged to. And the timing? Absolutely impeccable.
When the royal household casually announced the reopening of St. James’s Palace for public tours, it was a moment that nearly made me spill my tea. This, my friends, is the definition of playing chess while others fumble with checkers. The brilliance of this move is undeniable. Harry and Meghan are in Canada for the Invictus Games, doing their best to convince the world that their post-royal life is thriving. Meanwhile, Meghan is gearing up to launch yet another lifestyle brand, as if her previous ventures in that space had been wildly successful.
They continue their well-rehearsed narrative—insisting they don’t miss royal life, claiming they’re flourishing in America with their elusive children—when suddenly, King Charles makes a move that shifts the entire conversation.
For those unfamiliar with its significance, St. James’s Palace isn’t just any royal residence. This is a place steeped in over 300 years of history. It was once home to kings and queens of England, the site of Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert, and the location where the Accession Council convenes to formally declare a new monarch. It is a cornerstone of royal heritage, a symbol of continuity and tradition.
What makes this move particularly genius is that King Charles doesn’t need to say a word about Harry and Meghan. No statements, no direct comments, no public jabs. Instead, he simply reminds the world of what true royal legacy looks like. And let’s be honest—there is a vast difference between centuries of heritage and a series of Netflix deals.
Consider what Harry and Meghan walked away from. This wasn’t just a job—it was a connection to a millennium of history. They left behind one of the world’s most enduring institutions in exchange for an unpredictable life in Hollywood, where relevance is fleeting. They traded St. James’s Palace for a Montecito mansion, swapped duty and tradition for media hustling. And for what? To launch another cookbook? To produce another documentary complaining about the very institution that gave them global recognition in the first place?
Since their departure, they’ve championed their Netflix deals, their public speaking engagements, and their ill-fated podcast endeavors. Meanwhile, the royal family continues to be the custodians of places like St. James’s Palace—landmarks that have withstood the test of time and will remain long after fleeting trends and personal brands fade into obscurity. Meghan’s latest business venture, conveniently announced just before the premiere of her Netflix show, reeks of calculated timing. The entire spectacle feels frantic, like someone desperately trying to keep multiple plates spinning, with disaster looming at every turn. In contrast, the royal family simply announces the reopening of a palace that has existed since the reign of Henry VIII. Now that is what true stability looks like.
And speaking of public appearances, isn’t it curious how we rarely see proper photographs of their children, yet Meghan never misses an opportunity to be in front of a camera? Their stance on privacy seems to shift depending on what benefits them. They guard their personal lives fiercely—until a lucrative Netflix deal comes along, at which point their private moments become public entertainment. The inconsistency is astonishing.
By opening St. James’s Palace to the public, King Charles is doing more than sharing a piece of history—he is highlighting exactly what Harry and Meghan turned their backs on. While they scramble to build a brand from scratch, the royal family continues to represent something that cannot be fabricated through PR campaigns or social media strategies: genuine heritage.
No amount of documentaries, branding efforts, or lifestyle ventures can compete with authentic royal history. You cannot manufacture the kind of gravitas that comes with a place like St. James’s Palace. Centuries of tradition cannot be replaced by Instagram posts and product launches.
The most striking irony in all of this is that Harry and Meghan’s continued success—such as it is—stems entirely from their connection to the very institution they so frequently criticize. Without their royal ties, who would they be? Just another former actress and her husband attempting to navigate Hollywood.
The reopening of St. James’s Palace is more than just a historical event—it is a quiet but powerful reminder of what they left behind and what they can never replicate. No matter how many deals they sign or brands they launch, heritage, tradition, and history are not commodities that can be bought or manufactured.
