Harry and Meghan’s California Life Sparks Fresh Royal Debate
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have settled into their new life in California, raising their two kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But their latest moves—especially their Netflix deal—have stirred up old arguments about the late Queen Elizabeth’s hardline stance against a “half in, half out” royal role.
Royal expert Phil Dampier, chatting on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show, recently weighed in on the drama surrounding Harry’s charity, Sentebale, and how it echoes the Queen’s warnings. The Duke of Sussex found himself in hot water when reports surfaced that multiple trustees bailed on Sentebale after clashing with its Chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
Things got messier at a fundraising polo match in Miami last April. Meghan was spotted orchestrating the photo lineup like a pro, while Harry apparently brought along a Netflix crew to capture the event. The decision caught many off guard, raising eyebrows among those present. Host Matt Wilkinson summed it up: “Harry announced he was bringing Netflix to this charity fundraiser. And it caused, I think, lots of disturbances—I think Dr. Sophie said as much.”
Dampier didn’t hold back, pointing out how this chaos proves Queen Elizabeth’s foresight. “Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “The Queen saw it straight away. She knew the risks of mixing royal duties with commercial ventures, that hybrid model of doing royal jobs while cashing in on the side. And that’s exactly what went down at this polo match.”
Living far from the royal fold in California with Archie and Lilibet, Harry and Meghan’s choices keep fueling the debate. Was the Queen right all along about the dangers of a hybrid royal model? For now, their Netflix projects and charity scandals are keeping that question alive.
