Renowned royal author and journalist Tina Brown has made waves with shocking new revelations about Meghan Markle’s true motivations for marrying into the royal family.
As she promoted her 2022 book, The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor: The Truth and the Turmoil, Brown told The Washington Post that Meghan, and I quote, "couldn't resist everything that was on offer on the Celebrity Buffet." That one phrase encapsulates what has been evident for years. With decades of experience covering the monarchy and sources deeply embedded within royal circles, Brown painted a picture of Meghan as someone who was already exploring commercial deals while she was still an active member of the royal family.
While Catherine focused on early childhood development and mental health initiatives and Queen Elizabeth II remained steadfast in a lifetime of service, Meghan was allegedly strategizing sponsorship deals and celebrity collaborations behind the scenes. Brown’s revelations reinforce a widely held belief: Meghan’s entrance into the royal family was never about duty, tradition, or service. Instead, it was a carefully calculated move to boost her personal brand to a level her acting career could never have achieved. The British monarchy, with its deep-rooted history and national significance, became a mere stepping stone for her ambitions.
Brown’s insights are even more revealing when she notes that Meghan’s greatest struggle with royal life was its restrictions on commercial opportunities. Unlike other members of the royal family who understand the importance of maintaining a clear divide between royal duties and personal financial gain, Meghan reportedly saw protocol as an obstacle rather than a guiding principle. According to Brown, Meghan recognized lucrative deals waiting to be made but had to abandon them due to royal rules. This perspective sheds light on her decision to step back from royal life—while still benefiting from the status it provided.
Consider what followed immediately after the Sussexes' exit. Their departure was swiftly followed by multi-million dollar deals with Netflix, Spotify, and major publishing houses. These weren’t last-minute attempts to stay financially afloat; they were opportunities that Meghan had reportedly been eyeing all along—finally within reach, now that royal constraints were gone. She wasted no time in capitalizing on them.
Brown also offers a compelling take on Prince Harry’s role in this saga. While Harry had long struggled with his place in the monarchy, it was Meghan who provided him with the tools and motivation to leave. Their dynamic, as Brown describes it, suggests that Harry sought an escape, while Meghan—a shrewd strategist—offered him a path forward. Instead of seeking guidance from seasoned royal advisers, professionals dedicated to preserving the monarchy’s stability, Harry placed his trust in someone who had only recently entered his life. And by Brown’s account, Meghan had already begun looking beyond royal duties toward financial independence.
The consequences of that decision have become clear. Brown states that the Sussexes underestimated what life would be like without the royal platform. That miscalculation is evident in their ventures—projects that have relied heavily on royal grievances rather than fresh, independent ideas. Their Netflix documentary, their now-defunct Spotify deal, and Harry’s memoir have all leaned on their past royal experiences rather than establishing a new, lasting identity. In contrast, Prince William and Catherine have embraced their roles with commitment, focusing on meaningful initiatives such as mental health, early childhood development, and environmental conservation. Their purpose remains rooted in service rather than personal gain.
Similarly, King Charles and Queen Camilla have maintained their dignity despite Harry’s criticisms in interviews, books, and documentaries. They have refused to retaliate, remaining steadfast in their royal responsibilities. This contrast between the Sussexes and the working royals is striking.
Brown’s latest observations on Meghan’s upcoming Netflix project further highlight this divide. She notes that Meghan’s show focuses on an outdated concept of artificial perfection at a time when audiences crave authenticity. In today’s digital era, platforms like YouTube and podcasts thrive on raw, unfiltered content. Yet, Meghan reportedly continues to operate under a pre-2015 mindset, believing that a polished, elite image is the key to success. This disconnect might explain why so many of their projects have failed to make a lasting impact.
One of the biggest ironies in all of this is the Sussexes' original claim that they left royal life in pursuit of privacy. Over the past four years, however, they have shared more intimate details about their lives than the royal family has in a century. Brown’s analysis suggests that privacy was never the true goal. Rather, the aim was freedom from royal restrictions—allowing them to commercialize their status without limitations.
Yet, as time passes, their ventures appear to be losing momentum. Reports indicate that their Netflix deal is on shaky ground, their foundation is facing scrutiny, and public interest in their brand is dwindling. The celebrity world is fickle, and their royal connections, once a major asset, are gradually losing their value. Brown argues that Harry and Meghan failed to anticipate how difficult life would be without the palace’s structure and influence. While the working royals continue to build a meaningful legacy, rooted in long-term impact, the Sussexes seem to be struggling to define their purpose beyond fleeting fame.
