Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent “peace talks” with King Charles in London may have an ulterior motive, according to a royal expert. The couple’s PR team, including the Duke of Sussex’s chief communications officer Meredith Maines and Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes’ PR team in the UK, were photographed engaging in discussions with the King’s communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae.
The meeting, dubbed a “secret peace summit,” was initially seen as a step toward mending the strained relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the royal family. However, royal commentator Samara Gill has suggested that the couple may be seeking a “half-in and half-out” role within the monarchy.
This comes as their lucrative Netflix deal, which is believed to be their primary source of income, is set to conclude in September. “They need to choose. I just don’t agree with this hybrid situation. They’re like typical millennial royals who want to do, like, gig economy jobs in the royal family or something,” Gill said, questioning the couple’s desire for a non-committal position within the monarchy.
Harry and Meghan’s feud with the royal family began when they stepped down from their roles as working royals in 2020. Initially, the Sussexes had announced their plan to split their time between the U.S. and the U.K., maintaining part-time royal duties. However, their departure from royal responsibilities turned out to be permanent.
“This is a very confused strategy,” Gill continued. “And I do agree that they’ve got a better team that’s clearly trying to fashion something out of this, but I just think it’s a very confused, dilapidated thing and I don’t see it going anywhere.”
The tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family have been well-documented since their departure, with numerous public statements and media coverage highlighting the divide. As their Netflix deal nears its end, speculation about their next steps and the nature of their relationship with the monarchy continues to generate intense public interest.