‘Redemption unlikely’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry won’t get the “year of redemption” they are hoping for in 2024, according to a royal author.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be planning a fresh start, after facing backlash last year for their Netflix documentary and Prince Harry’s bombshell biography, Spare.
“Harry and Meghan have let it be known that they see 2024 as their year of redemption, to which my reaction is ‘good luck with that’,” said royal expert and author Phil Dampier.
“It’s a trite phrase dreamt up by their Hollywood PR people and in reality means very little. Actions speak louder than words and the Sussexes need to do things which will convince the public that they want to redeem themselves, not just talk about it.”
The Sussexes’ absence was strikingly apparent on Christmas Day when the rest of the royal family, including King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, went to church at Sandringham.
Mr Dampier said the inclusion of Prince Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, on the Christmas guest list for the first time in years, sent a strong message.
“The royals put on a show of unity at Christmas, with even Prince Andrew’s exwife Fergie being allowed to walk to church and join them for lunch,” he said.
“The message was clear – everyone was welcome except Harry and Meghan.”
Mr Dampier said Harry and Meghan could not “compete” with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“I think the penny has finally dropped with them that they can never compete with an ancient institution admired around the world, particularly the goodwill still lingering from the late Queen’s reign,” he said.
“William and Kate have never been more popular and the Sussexes can’t hold a candle to them.”