The bridges between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals remain burnt down and no one knows with certainty if they would be restored in the near future.
Following King Charles’ and Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, both Harry and Meghan reached out to them and offered their support and well-wishes, but that wasn’t seen as an olive branch, thus things between them haven’t changed and remain rather rocky.
When Prince Harry visited Britain in order to meet with his father after he learned of his cancer, he caused a stir and angered many, among which Camilla, who believed his visit was more of a PR stunt than a genuine act towards his father.
For the Invictus Games which took place last week, Harry visited London again, but he and his father didn’t see each other due to the King’s busy schedule.
Harry’s spokesperson said the Prince “hopes to see him soon.”
However, much as the fact that Harry and his family are not getting along ever since he and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties, the truth is that the Sussexes enjoy popularity in the States and live their lives to the fullest along with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, who received the titles of Prince and Princess shortly after Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Despite their departure from royal duties, financial opportunities continued to flow their way. In September 2020, they inked a lucrative five-year, $100 million production deal with Netflix, signed a four-book deal with their publisher that allegedly included a staggering $20 million advance and global royalties for Harry’s book Spare, potentially totaling over $120 million. Additionally, they secured a $20 million deal with Spotify, estimated to be worth around $35 million according to industry experts.
The Invictus Games – founded by Prince Harry for veterans worldwide – are a beautiful initiative, but it’s hard not to question if it might be an even bigger win from a publicity standpoint.
Harry and Meghan are beloved figures in America, and now they seem to be accepted by other countries as well. Recently, the two took a trip to the African country of Nigeria where they were welcomed as royals.
Shortly before the trip during which the couple was to further their work surrounding the Invictus Games, Meghan opened up about the results of a DNA tests she had taken, sharing that she was 43 percent Nigerian, making the trip to the country rather personal.
Harry and Meghan greeted the crowd that gathered to see them with beaming smiles, snapped selfies and relished all the enjoyable aspects of royalty without needing to answer to the Firm. Meanwhile, their visit brought a lot of unwelcome attention to Buckingham Palace, and the Sussexes managed to shift the narrative in their favor without having to address any royal matters.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told Mirror that Kate and William were furious about the Sussexes’ trip because it felt like a 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, this trip was also a way to restore her image while acting as a ‘non-royal’ princess.
ABUJA, NIREGIA – MAY 11: Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain’s Meghan (not seen), Duchess of Sussex, attend an exhibition sitting volleyball match at Nigeria Unconquered, a community-based charitable organization dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers, as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Kate faces her own challenges, Meghan is about to launch her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. She and Harry’s recent visit to Nigeria signifies a promising new beginning for them, and some see this as Meghan’s “cold” revenge against Kate and the rest of the royals.
This doesn’t mean, however, that Meghan and Harry don’t wish Kate to recover as soon as possible, just like the rest of us.