Meghan Markle and Prince Harry remain in the spotlight despite now being back in the US. With Harry preparing to release his new memoir, there’s a chance his rift with the Royal Family might further worsen.
Meghan, meanwhile, has done several bombshell interviews since she and Harry stepped back from royal duties. Recently, she sat down with Variety, and things took a somewhat more laidback feel.
Harry & Meghan – rift with royal family
The couple left the UK shortly after the funeral, and while it might have appeared as though Harry and Meghan were showing a united front with William and Kate – and the rest of the family – during their time there, it might have all just been a show. At least that’s according to royal correspondent Russel Myers, working with the Daily Mirror.
The royals have had many ups and downs in the last year. When Queen Elizabeth passed, Harry and Meghan traveled to the UK together. The day after the Queen’s death, they appeared alongside William and Kate Middleton to present a united front to the world.
Yet, according to reports, that gesture merely papered over cracks that are still very much there.
William and Harry didn’t make eye contact as they thanked the public for their kind words. Kate and Meghan, meanwhile, didn’t interact at all.
For the Queen’s procession – where the male royals walked behind the coffin – Meghan Markle did not ride in the same car as Kate.
According to royal correspondent Russel Myers, there were careful attempts to portray a united front from Harry, William, Kate, and Meghan.
“There is still a serious amount of distrust”
However, Myers says that there can be no rebuilding of bridges burned until Harry has put all of his cards on the table. And also after his book has either been published or scrapped entirely.
“The family continues to be in mourning and are now finally being allowed to grieve for the Queen away from the gaze of millions. However, any talk of a truce between the Prince (William) and the Duke (Harry) would only be temporary,” a royal insider told Myers.
“There is still a serious amount of distrust in the air and there hasn’t been any cause for that to change,” Myers said, adding that Meghan and Kate were “not known” to have exchanged words one single time during the period when Harry and Meghan were in the UK.
But it’s not just their relationship with Kate and William that has been a “problem” for Harry and Meghan. Months before the Queen’s funeral, Harry and Meghan made a quick stop in the UK where they were supposed to meet then-Prince Charles and Camilla to try and make amends. But, sadly, things didn’t turn out as expected.
According to royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, Harry and Meghan didn’t start on the right foot by arriving late.
Harry “went in with hugs” at meeting with Charles & Camilla
“The Sussexes were late, and Charles had just 15 minutes with his son and daughter-in-law before he had to leave for the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle, where he was standing in for the queen for the very first time.”
“While father and son are said to have greeted each other warmly, there were moments of tension,” she added.
On that note, Harry and Camilla’s relationship has also been notoriously frosty of late, which didn’t make the meeting easier.
“Harry went in with hugs and the best of intentions and said he wanted to clear the air,” a family friend told Nichol.
“He actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea. She told Harry it was ridiculous and that they were a family and would sort it out between themselves.”
When Harry and Meghan left the Royal Family, new business opportunities appeared. They signed big contracts with both Netflix and Spotify – Meghan recently launched her podcast, Archetypes.
Harry & Meghan – work, charity
It is a nonprofit that “drives systematic cultural change across all communities.” Upon its launch, a message from Harry and Meghan was posted on its website.
Previously, Harry also founded the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for “wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.”
Earlier this year, Harry’s foundation also teamed up with the mental health firm BetterUp, which Harry is involved in as well.
“At its heart, the Invictus Games is about empowering every single person around the world. It’s a worldwide display of resilience, determination, and community for which each of us can draw inspiration,” Harry said in a statement.”
Moreover, the couple also announced a new partnership with the Ving Project, promoting youth philanthropy amongst women.
They plan to give out $1 million and encourage teens between the ages of 14 and 18 to nominate women who have inspired them and “defied life’s hardships.”
