Meghan Markle has faced sharp criticism over her reported motives for bringing her children to meet King Charles, with commentators accusing her of using the visit for financial gain. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, along with Prince Harry, 41, and their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, visited King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire on Friday, July 10.
TalkTV Panelists Slam Meghan's Motives
On TalkTV, presenter Mark Dolan claimed it was "symbolic" that Meghan had returned to royal property. Sarah-Louise Robertson, editor of Digital Spy, agreed, saying: "Indeed. This was something that no one could have predicted a couple of years ago. We know Meghan was adamant that she was staying in California and would never put a foot back onto English soil again unless someone was going to put a crown on her head." Robertson suggested Meghan may believe a crown could be in her future, adding: "Maybe that's what she thinks is going to happen in the future. Things have changed. Meghan and Harry's American dream hasn't worked out the way they thought it would."
Financial Motivations Cited
Robertson argued that Meghan's desire to rebuild ties with the Royal Family is primarily financial. "It always comes back to finances with these two. The money hasn't come rolling in. It hasn't been a juggernaut of cash which is what Meghan envisaged those years ago when she was working out Megxit," she said. "The coffers are drying up. Meghan's astute and she wants to curry favour with the King because they want to call on his services. How do they do that? They have the gift of grandchildren." Robertson accused the couple of "dangling those grandchildren like a carrot over the King's head as a way to keep him on side. It sounds manipulative."
Contrast with Harry's Intentions
While Robertson acknowledged that Harry and Meghan likely want their children to know King Charles, she claimed their motivation is more about his status as "Britain's ruling monarch." She added: "It's dawned on Meghan what a gift she had when she was almost given the keys to the castle when she married Harry back in 2018. She threw it all away because she wanted to be this big Hollywood star. That hasn't worked out." Robertson contrasted Meghan's actions with Harry's, stating the Duke of Sussex genuinely wants to reunite with his family. "For the last year, Harry has had a yearning to be back in the UK. He's missing England. The California dream was lost on Harry way before it was lost on Meghan," she said. "It's not really lost on Meghan. She wants to stay living in California but she wants the kudos of the King on her side and the cash that brings with it. Harry's not interested in that side of things, he wants to be back in England. He wants to try and get things back on track with his family." Robertson concluded that Meghan is now appeasing Harry, but only because she believes it will ultimately benefit her financially.
