In a bold moment that’s reignited royal controversy, King Charles III dropped a sharp rebuke during his official visit to Italy this week, stating, “Stop calling him royal.” As he and Queen Camilla touched down in Rome amid flashing cameras and eager reporters, many saw the comment as a direct jab at Prince Harry. Far from a casual quip, it felt like a deliberate strike, underscoring the monarchy’s firm stance. Behind this public declaration lies a deeper battle—one to shield the crown’s honor from what the palace views as Meghan Markle’s relentless media crusade since the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have, in the eyes of Buckingham Palace insiders, turned their former Sussex titles into tools for profit. From splashy Netflix documentaries to tell-all memoirs, the couple—especially Meghan—has kept the royal spotlight on themselves, even after cutting official ties. King Charles’ words in Italy weren’t just a personal dig; they marked a legal and reputational boundary. The frustration stems from the Sussexes’ ongoing use of “Duke and Duchess of Sussex” in money-making ventures. Sources close to the palace say the king’s patience snapped after Meghan’s recent Hollywood schmoozing, where she allegedly pitched herself as “Princess Meghan”—a title she’s never rightfully held. This move, spotted in multiple public outings, has fueled claims she’s misleading fans and brands for clout.
Royal aides are fuming, arguing that Meghan’s title-twisting erodes the monarchy’s credibility and muddies the waters on who truly speaks for the crown. The tension’s only growing as word spreads of her next project: a documentary-style series about her royal life, told solely from her angle. Insiders say it’s being pitched to big streaming platforms, packed with personal takes and footage aimed at unveiling supposed royal biases—no palace approval or fact-checking required. The worry isn’t just leaks; it’s that Meghan’s crafting a one-sided history to fit her narrative, further straining an already frayed relationship.
Queen Camilla’s demeanor in Italy told its own story. Dressed to perfection but with a face like stone, she stood by King Charles as he laid down the law. Royal watchers clocked her irritation when reporters brought up Harry and Meghan—she barely glanced at the cameras, refusing to engage. Her reaction mirrors a wider sentiment among senior royals: the Sussex saga is an exhausting sideshow, pulling focus from real duties and diplomacy. With King Charles drawing this public line and the monarchy sharpening its message, Meghan Markle’s attempts to cling to a royal identity—without the accountability—leave her increasingly on the outs.
The palace’s stance is now unmistakable: royal titles aren’t props for profit. King Charles’ rebuke signals that anyone bending the rules, no matter how dazzling their Hollywood allies, will face a public reckoning. As this royal controversy flares, the divide between the crown and the Sussexes deepens, with Meghan’s next move under intense scrutiny.
