Prince Harry is reported to have opined that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, possesses the qualities to lead the royal family into modernity, according to royal biographer Angela Levin.
In an interview with Uncancelled's Dan Wooton, Levin delved into the couple's perspectives on the monarchy's need for updates and Meghan's potential role in such a transformation.
“[Harry] thinks that it was very bad that Meghan wasn’t questioned about what should be done to make the royal family up to date,” Angela said in the interview published on Monday, April 8, about the dynamic Prince Harry and Meghan shared with the firm before they moved to California.
“And [Meghan] said herself that she felt that they should have asked her what should be done rather than Kate because she is a self-made woman and she’s got much more experience," she went on.
Levin recounted conversations indicating Harry's dissatisfaction with the royal family's approach to modernization, particularly noting an omission in consulting Meghan on the matter. Meghan, a self-described self-made woman with considerable experience, reportedly felt overlooked in favor of Princess Kate, despite her own insights into progressive changes for the monarchy.
This sentiment underscores the couple's estrangement from traditional royal protocols and their eventual move to California.
The notion of Harry and Meghan assuming leadership of the monarchy presents a scenario fraught with unprecedented shifts in succession. For such a change to occur, Prince William, along with his three children, would need to step aside, paving the way for Harry, currently sixth in line, and Meghan to potentially guide the royal institution.
Levin, who spent considerable time with Harry while penning the biography "Harry: Conversations with the Prince," also reflected on Queen Elizabeth II's efforts to accommodate the Sussexes within the royal fold. The late queen's concessions, including offering top aides and allowing Meghan the flexibility to continue her acting career, highlighted attempts to integrate Meghan's preferences into royal life.
However, Levin suggests a premeditated plan by Meghan to exit the royal setting, fueled by ambitions extending beyond her royal title and financial expectations.
The biographer further critiqued the Sussexes' motives, accusing them of aiming to dismantle the traditional royal framework and alter media dynamics, particularly the print press. Harry's legal battles against media entities over privacy violations and defamation underscore his contentious relationship with the press, aligning with Levin's portrayal of a broader strategy to reshape media engagement.
Complicating these narratives are recent challenges faced by the royal family, notably Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis and the subsequent internal turmoil. Levin claims that Prince William harbors frustration towards Harry, exacerbated by disparaging remarks about Princess Kate and alleged breaches of trust.
This tension, according to Levin, has deepened the rift between the brothers, with William particularly incensed by Harry's public criticisms and actions perceived as undermining the family's unity.
“There you have their priorities. Harry wasn’t on the list. If you are unwell the last thing you want is somebody who’s going to start telling you how they want you to behave. Quite rightly William is absolutely furious about the comments that Harry made about his wife, insinuating that she didn’t have a big personality, that she did what she was told, she was deeply boring and that she was lazy," the royal author of the tense dynamic shared between the Waleses and the Sussexes.
“The other thing is, of course, they can’t trust Harry because he’s taken sentences and sold them to journalists to make another documentary. He’s not having that. Harry’s been very rude about William – you can’t take it,” she furthered.
Meanwhile, Meghan reportedly aspired to emulate Princess Diana's legacy within the Royal Family, embodying the same spirit and dedication to public service that defined Harry’s late mother.
From her early days within the royal fold following her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017, Meghan sought to make a significant impact, akin to that of Diana, who transitioned from obscurity to global recognition through her marriage to Prince Charles and her subsequent philanthropic endeavors.
Darren Stanton, a body language expert, observed that Meghan's entry into the Royal Family marked a dramatic shift in her public stature, drawing parallels between her experiences and those of Princess Diana. Both women, according to Stanton, shared a profound commitment to humanitarian causes and a willingness to forge their own paths, even when it meant stepping away from traditional royal expectations.
"She holds great precedence with Princess Diana," Stanton told The Mirror, highlighting the strength and conviction both women demonstrated in facing the challenges of royal life.
In addition to her philanthropic efforts, Meghan has ventured into the business world with the launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Despite facing initial skepticism, the Duchess has been described as "headstrong" and "empowered" in her pursuit of this new endeavor, which offers an array of products including homewares, table linens, cookbooks, and gourmet food items. The brand, announced via a series of Instagram posts, has generated considerable excitement among royal and lifestyle enthusiasts alike.
Stanton believes that through American Riviera Orchard, Meghan has embarked on a path that resonates deeply with her personal values and aspirations. He remarked on the Duchess's newfound sense of self-assurance and purpose, suggesting that her latest venture represents a culmination of her journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment. "It’s a natural transition for her to embark on," he said, noting the alignment between Meghan's interests and the ethos of her lifestyle brand.
However, the timing of the brand's introduction has not been without controversy. Amidst reports that King Charles and Kate Middleton are battling cancer, Meghan has reportedly tempered plans for a global expansion of American Riviera Orchard. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield expressed concerns that an aggressive rollout could be perceived as opportunistic, especially during a period of health crises within the Royal Family.
"Meghan knows that if she appears even remotely opportunistic while the Royal Family has a cancer cloud hovering, she will be vilified," Schofield explained, indicating the delicate balance Meghan must navigate as she seeks to build her brand without overshadowing her commitment to empathy and compassion.
