Ward, the royal editor, began by acknowledging that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have never been strangers to controversy. She pointed out that their relocation to Montecito was a significant upheaval, causing ripples in the royal pond. She noted, "If they had hoped for a quieter, more tranquil life when they departed the UK to chart their own course, the past year has been anything but that."
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II only seemed to widen the gap between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, with this simmering resentment becoming almost tangible as the couple found themselves treated like outcasts.
Things took an even more dramatic turn with the release of Prince Harry's memoir, 'Spare,' which further fueled the flames of controversy. The situation was compounded by the lawsuit in the UK, the breakdown of their Spotify deal, and the release of the Harry & Meghan docuseries.
Reflecting on these developments, Ward added, "Despite the enthusiastic expressions about being inseparable, with metaphors about intertwined palm trees and salt and pepper shakers, reality is beginning to set in." She noted that while some of the difficulties have been chalked up to the inevitable growing pains, the strain on their relationship with Buckingham Palace seems more pronounced than ever.
