Prince Harry Returning to UK as Meghan Markle's Divorce Storm Makes a Bad Time Worse
Prince Harry could be making his way back to the UK as early as this week, following shocking claims surrounding him and his wife, Meghan Markle. The controversy erupted over the weekend, with reports suggesting that Meghan’s representatives had been in talks with a publisher about a potential post-divorce book. According to Vanity Fair, while there is little evidence to suggest the couple is splitting, discussions took place as a precaution in case a divorce ever occurred.
The lengthy article also mentioned that the couple is disliked in their hometown of Montecito and reiterated allegations that Meghan, who is gearing up to launch a new Netflix project, has been difficult to work with. This revelation comes at a particularly sensitive time for Harry, who currently resides in California. He is embroiled in a high-profile legal battle against News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, over allegations of unlawful information gathering. The trial is set to begin on Tuesday, January 20th, and will run for 10 weeks, with Harry expected to face several days of cross-examination.
So far, the Sussexes have refused to comment directly on the Vanity Fair story, but sources close to them say they have dismissed the allegations as distressing. A friend of Harry’s told The Daily Beast that the divorce rumors were "unfair" and that while there had been talks about a post-divorce book, nothing ever materialized. The friend emphasized that Harry and Meghan are "totally in love" and the whole situation has only "made a bad time worse" for them. The Vanity Fair article, titled Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Big Business Ambitions Five Years After Their Royal Exit, claimed that Meghan’s team had discussed gauging interest in a potential book. However, the article clarified that no offer was made and no manuscript was produced, as no divorce had taken place.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently found themselves at the center of controversy following critical comments about their involvement in aiding Los Angeles wildfire victims. Actress Justine Bateman took to social media, accusing the couple of turning their aid efforts into a photo opportunity. Bateman labeled them as "disaster tourists," and suggested that they had no business being involved.
However, a source close to the couple responded, stating that they were deeply offended by the accusations. Meghan, born and raised in Los Angeles, has strong ties to the area and has dedicated significant time, money, and resources to helping those impacted by the fires. The source also clarified that their volunteering efforts had been ongoing long before the media caught wind of their involvement. The couple’s statement emphasized that they were not simply "tourists," and that Meghan’s connection to the community was deeply personal.
Amidst this, Meghan decided to postpone the release of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which was originally set for January 15th but has now been delayed until March 4th. Meghan expressed gratitude to her partners at Netflix for supporting the delay, as they focused on helping those affected by the fires in California.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received scathing reviews for their new Netflix show, Polo. Listed as executive producers, the couple’s involvement in the project has been met with harsh criticism. Harry makes a brief cameo in the first episode, while both he and Meghan are seen in episode five. Critics have noted the lack of star power, with the Daily Mail’s Jane Frier awarding the show just one star, calling it a "ghastly" world and branding Harry’s polo friends as "ridiculous." The show was described as flat, boring, and lacking the charm that many expected from the Sussexes’ media ventures.
The Telegraph’s Ed Power gave the show two stars, commenting that there was not enough of the Sussexes to make it anything more than a dull indulgence about the pursuits of the rich. Even The Guardian, often more sympathetic to the couple, panned the show, with reviewer Stuart Heritage awarding it just two stars. The criticism has raised questions about the Sussexes' media ambitions and whether they’ve squandered an opportunity to create something more engaging.
In addition to media backlash, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing fresh criticism for their charitable work. A recent German TV documentary accused the couple of leading an elitist lifestyle with minimal community engagement. The documentary also highlighted a dramatic decline in donations to their foundation, accusing them of carefully orchestrating their public appearances, especially when overseas.
The program lambasted the Sussexes for earning large sums of money in Hollywood by trading on their royal reputations while maintaining a largely isolated existence. This new round of criticism only adds to the growing controversy surrounding their post-royal life and the choices they’ve made since stepping down from official duties.
As Harry and Meghan continue to navigate their new life outside of the royal family, the media and public’s scrutiny only seems to intensify, with each new development further fueling the fire of their ongoing saga.
