LONDON – A shadow of suspicion hangs over the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the British royal family, with the Sussexes reportedly believing they are being targeted in a “secret vendetta.” Their careers, once seemingly on the rise, have faced significant setbacks in 2023, fueling their resentment.
Unfulfilled Promises and Broken Deals:
Meghan’s high-profile signing with talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) in April promised a flurry of television projects, yet none have materialized. The sting was particularly sharp when actress Meg Bellamy, who portrays Kate Middleton in “The Crown,” reportedly replaced Meghan as the new face of Dior. This, coupled with Queen Camilla’s public appearance in Dior Haute Couture during an official visit to France, has only heightened the Sussexes’ suspicions.
“There’s a general feeling that there has been a vendetta waged against them,” a source confided to the Daily Express. “Talks held with high-profile brands didn’t lead to anything, but those brands actively courted other members of the family.” The source pointed to the timing of Camilla’s Dior outing coinciding with the alleged collapse of Meghan’s deal, further fueling their suspicions.
Money Matters and Royal Outreach:
Meanwhile, Prince Harry faces a different kind of battle – financial. Spotify’s termination of their deal, the lukewarm reception of their Netflix documentary, and a significant drop in funding for their Archewell Foundation have put the Sussexes in a precarious position. The situation has reportedly prompted Harry to reach out to the royal family, seeking reconciliation.
However, the path to healing appears riddled with thorns. Their reconciliation attempt with King Charles on his birthday in November seemed hopeful, but the release of royal author Omid Scobie’s book, “Endgame,” has rekindled tensions. Scobie, known as Meghan’s “mouthpiece,” made controversial claims about senior royals, including Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
The book caused particular outrage with allegations that two unnamed senior royals raised concerns about the skin color of Prince Archie before his birth. This sensitive subject, coupled with Scobie’s perceived close ties to Meghan, has further strained relations.
“He appears to have well and truly burned those bridges,” a source told the Daily Express regarding Harry’s outreach efforts. “Be it Charles or William, members of the royal family are quite reluctant to see eye to eye with Harry.” The source added, “There is very little trust there, which is understandable.”
The Path Forward: Reconciliation or Continued Rift?
The future of the Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family remains uncertain. The accusations of sabotage, the ongoing financial woes, and the wounds reopened by “Endgame” present formidable obstacles to reconciliation. Whether bridges can be rebuilt or whether the rift will widen further remains to be seen.
This saga highlights the complex dynamics within the royal family, where personal ambitions, public perceptions, and financial realities intersect. One thing is clear: the story of Harry, Meghan, and the royal family is far from over, and its next chapter promises to be just as captivating and controversial as the last.