Opinion: Meghan Markle’s ‘cold’ revenge against Kate Middleton – why the Duchess’ latest move leaves the palace furious
The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family remains strained, with no clear indication of reconciliation on the horizon.
Despite King Charles and Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnoses prompting Harry and Meghan to reach out with their support and well-wishes, this gesture wasn’t perceived as an olive branch, leaving their relationship unchanged and still tense.
When Prince Harry returned to Britain to meet his father after learning of his illness, it caused significant controversy. During his recent visit to London for the Invictus Games, Harry did not meet with King Charles due to the latter’s busy schedule.
Harry’s spokesperson mentioned that the Prince “hopes to see him soon.” Nonetheless, the rift that began when Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties persists. In the United States, the Sussexes are popular and enjoy a fulfilling life with their children, Archie and Lilibet, who received their princely titles following Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Even after stepping down from royal duties, financial opportunities continued to come their way. In September 2020, they signed a lucrative five-year, $100 million production deal with Netflix and secured a four-book deal with their publisher, which included a $20 million advance and potentially over $120 million in global royalties for Harry’s book Spare. Additionally, they struck a $20 million deal with Spotify, estimated by industry experts to be worth around $35 million.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry for veterans worldwide, are a commendable initiative, yet some question whether it also serves as a significant publicity boost.
Harry and Meghan are highly regarded in America and are gaining acceptance internationally. Recently, they visited Nigeria, where they were warmly received as royals.
Prior to their trip, Meghan shared the results of a DNA test revealing she was 43 percent Nigerian, making their visit personal.
During their visit, Harry and Meghan greeted crowds with smiles, took selfies, and enjoyed the perks of royalty without the constraints of the royal institution. This visit, however, brought unwanted attention to Buckingham Palace and allowed the Sussexes to control the narrative without addressing royal controversies.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told Mirror that Kate and William were upset by the Sussexes’ trip, as it resembled an official royal engagement. “Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled,” he said.
For Meghan, the trip was also an opportunity to enhance her image while acting as a ‘non-royal’ princess.
During the visit to Abuja, Nigeria, on May 11, 2024, Prince Harry and Meghan attended an exhibition sitting volleyball match at Nigeria Unconquered, a charitable organization for wounded servicemembers, as part of the Invictus Games anniversary celebrations (Photo by Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images).
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As Kate faces her challenges, Meghan is preparing to launch her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The recent visit to Nigeria represents a promising new chapter for the Sussexes, and some view it as Meghan’s “cold” revenge against Kate and the rest of the royals.
This does not mean, however, that Meghan and Harry do not wish Kate a speedy recovery. They, like everyone else, hope for her well-being.
