The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced a wave of criticism from royal experts and the public for their repeated attacks on the royal family.
According to a report by GB News, the couple, who stepped down as senior royals last year, have made several controversial claims about their experiences within the monarchy, accusing it of racism, neglect and dishonesty.
Some of the most shocking allegations came from their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, where they revealed that an unnamed member of the royal family had expressed concerns about the skin colour of their son Archie before he was born.
They also claimed that they were denied security and financial support, and that Meghan had been denied help for her mental health issues.
The couple have continued to air their grievances in various media platforms, including a podcast with Dax Shepard, a documentary series with Oprah Winfrey, and a memoir by Prince Harry. They have also signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, reportedly worth over $100 million, to produce content that reflects their values and causes.
However, their actions have not gone down well with many royal commentators and members of the public, who have accused them of hypocrisy, disrespect and betrayal. Some have even called for a referendum to strip them of their titles and privileges, including Harry’s birthright as a prince.
One of the most vocal critics of the Sussexes is Nile Gardiner, a former aide to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He told the New York Post that the couple’s behaviour amounted to “treason” against the royal family⁴. He said: “This is a massive disinformation campaign by Meghan and Harry — it’s an absolute disgrace. They are enriching themselves using royal titles while attacking the royal family.”
Another critic is Nana Akua, a host on GB News, who said that the couple’s attacks were “low blows” that undermined the monarchy¹. She said: “They are total outcasts. They have pushed King Charles right to the limit. They have pushed Queen Elizabeth right to the limit. And they have pushed Prince William right to the limit.” She also suggested that the British people should have a say on whether the couple should keep their titles or not.
The public opinion on the Sussexes has also soured in recent months, according to polls conducted by YouGov. A survey in June found that 49% of Britons had a negative view of Prince Harry, while 61% had a negative view of Meghan Markle. Only 34% and 29% had a positive view of them respectively. The survey also found that 44% of Britons thought that the couple should be stripped of their royal titles, while 20% thought they should keep them.
The royal family has largely remained silent on the Sussexes’ claims, except for a brief statement issued by Buckingham Palace after the Oprah interview. The statement said that the issues raised were “concerning” and would be “addressed by the family privately”. However, some insiders have suggested that the relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals is strained and unlikely to improve anytime soon.
