Meghan Markle slams brakes on ‘American Royal Family’ plot to avoid destroying any shred of popularity left, expert says
MEGHAN Markle has slammed the brakes on what's been dubbed her "American Royal Family" plot, an expert says.
Richard Fitzwilliams, who has long commented on the Royal Family, claimed the Duchess of Sussex would now fear her popularity would "plummet" more.
He was speaking after Meghan launched her new business - seemingly using Princess Diana's legacy to promote it.
Earlier this month Meghan unveiled her latest brand in a glitzy social media post - just moments before Prince William stepped out on stage at the Diana Legacy Awards.
Richard said at the time that the timing around the launch was no accident.
Another royal expert claimed the plan had been hatched to rival King Charles by setting up an "American Royal Family".
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But, following Princess Kate revealing in an emotional video on Friday she was undergoing cancer treatment, Richard doubted the Sussexes would carry on with that plot.
He said if they did, they could risk their popularity dipping even further.
The expert told The Sun: "There isn't anything that the Sussexes are going to be able to do to monetize their connections with the Royal Family in the future that I can imagine.
"I would also think that Harry will be pretty devastated that the news of his father's treatment for cancer, and also what's happened to Catherine.
"Remember, their popularity is pretty low both sides of the Atlantic, if anything else happened that was considered tasteless they would plummet."
Meghan and Harry sent Kate their wishes on Friday, just hours after her poignant video was released.
The pair said: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."
It is understood the couple reached out to Kate and William after news broke of the mum-of-three's diagnosis.
A source told the New York Post Harry and Meghan found out about Kate when the rest of the world did.
The insider said: "They had no idea, and only learned of the news around the same time the rest of the world found out."
Richard claimed the couple would have not been told about the princess' health battle as they "can't be trusted".
The expert said: "There's a deep rift between the brothers - that we know.
"We also know that they haven't apparently spoken in many months, and the reason, of course, is that for some four years they've caused endless problems to the royal family and so they can't be trusted.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside
JAN 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
MARCH 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
"William hasn't trusted Harry and Meghan and I mean with good reason."
Kate bravely opened up and said she'd had an "incredibly tough" couple of months - but Prince William had stood by her side.
The mum-of-three has been missing from royal duties since she underwent a planned abdominal surgery on January 17.
On Friday, sitting in front of a field of daffodils, the princess shared she had cancer.
The 42-year-old said she had waited to break the news at a time best for her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
Kate bravely said: "Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.
"As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."
Harry and Meghan betrayals
Oprah interview
Harry and Meghan's explosive chat with Oprah Winfrey saw them make a series of bombshell revelations.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed no subject was "off limits" during the explosive chat in March 2021.
The interview unlocked a host of jaw-dropping remarks, racking up over 6,000 complaints from British viewers and even prompting a response from the Queen.
This included a claim that two royals allegedly questioned the colour of Prince Archie’s skin tone.
Meghan left jaws dropping after addressing her and Kate's bridesmaid dress row after telling Oprah Kate made HER cry in the lead up to her wedding.
Meg told Oprah it had been difficult to see a "narrative that didn't happen" surface after it was reported she left Kate in tears over her demands for Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress.
She instead told the chat show Queen: "The reverse happened."
Spare
There was more to come in Harry’s book, as he recalled an alleged altercation with his brother William which ended with him falling into a dog bowl.
He also revealed how William disapproved of Harry’s marriage to Meghan and once called her “difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive.”
Harry’s father King Charles was also in the firing line for criticism. Harry laid into his father for not hugging him after the death of his mother, Diana, the late Princess of Wales, and claimed the King would often make jokes of “poor taste” about his paternity.
Kate, who Harry once hailed as the ‘sister I never had’, and stepmother Camilla were also not spared in the attack.
The Princess of Wales was accused of being cold towards her sister-in-law Meghan and claimed she was “disgusted” when Meghan asked to use her lipgloss.
He also partially blamed Kate and William for his decision to wear the controversial Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005, claiming they both “howled” when they saw him.
Netflix show
Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries lobbed bombs at The Firm - seeing it torn apart by royal experts.
To the shock of many it told stories of Meghan's "jarring" first meeting with Princess Kate and Harry making digs at his father.
But, despite the attention it drew, it didn't even rank in the top 200 most-watched Netflix shows from January to June last year.
The doc was pulled to pieces for giving examples of "truths", which didn't seem to stand up to reality.
As the privacy-loving couple whined about their struggles in the final part of their Netflix docuseries, they glossed over some important details.
Also, in an apparent dig at his dad King Charles' parenting, Harry claimed he was "brought up" by friends in Africa.
She confessed: "It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family - but I have had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me for which I am so grateful."
The princess explained that when she underwent surgery in January, it was thought her condition was non-cancerous.
However, post-operation tests found cancer, and she was recommended she undergo treatment.
Kate continued: "This of course came as a huge shock.
"William and I have been doing everything I can to process this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine this has taken time.
"It has taken time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
"Most importantly it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.
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"As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits."
Kate said she's getting "stronger every day", but said she would not return to work until she was well.
Kate's brave statement in full
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.
As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.
Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.
We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.