Mr. Scabby, in an interview with The Independent, pointed out that while the Sussexes had some funds, they required substantial financial support for proper housing and security. As a result, they signed contracts for books, documentaries, and podcasts after stepping back from their senior royal roles and relocating to the US in 2020. These deals included an $81 million 5-year agreement with Netflix and an $18 million contract with Spotify (though the latter was canceled prematurely). These deals led to revelations by Harry about his father and older brother, Prince William, notably in the Netflix series 'Harry and Meghan' and his memoir.
Mr. Scabby suggests that the Sussexes only pursued these ventures due to King Charles's mishandling of their departure from Britain and their senior working royal roles. He argues that while other royals around the world accepted the loss of titles without complaint, Meghan and Harry's complaints about benefits and privileges appear greedy and unreasonable.
According to Mr. Scabby, all financial support for Harry and Meghan, including funding for their official security, was discontinued in July 2020. Previously, this security had been funded by Charles's private income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate. It's worth mentioning that Meghan had already been in discussions for these contracts, dating back to her relationship with Harry in 2016. These deals were signed because Netflix, Penguin Random House, and Spotify saw the potential in stories related to the royal family. They knew what would sell and generate revenue.
It's ironic that Mr. Scabby appears to suggest that Meghan and Harry's only marketable asset was airing family grievances. At the same time, he places blame on King Charles and the British royal family for not meeting their financial demands. Essentially, they are blaming the royal family for their decision to publicly share family matters and portray themselves as victims.
In retrospect, Meghan and Harry's initial announcement of their intentions to leave the royal family without prior discussion with the Queen and their expectation of continuing part-time royal duties while pursuing lucrative deals overseas was a significant misstep. The Queen's refusal to accept this arrangement seems to have triggered much of the subsequent tension and resentment. Their sense of entitlement appears to be a significant factor in the ongoing controversy."
