Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children expected to miss Balmoral vacation amid growing family tensions
LONDON, UK: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are not expected to join their grandfather, King Charles, for the traditional royal summer vacation at Balmoral this year.
The Sussexes, who are currently residing in California, are likely to forgo the trip due to ongoing family tensions.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's kids to skip Balmoral trip as tensions escalate
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are not expected to join their grandfather, King Charles, for the traditional royal summer vacation at Balmoral this year. The Sussexes, who are currently residing in California, are likely to forgo the trip due to ongoing family tensions.
The source added that King Charles may have to rely on Skype calls to stay connected with his grandchildren. "The most likely option is for the King to keep in contact with his grandchildren via Skype calls so that he doesn't lose touch with what they're getting up to," they said.
The eviction of the Sussexes from Frogmore Cottage has complicated their ability to travel freely to the UK.
"When the King asked Prince Harry and his wife to vacate Frogmore Cottage, Harry said, 'Doesn't the King want to see his grandchildren?'" reported Michael Cole on GB News. "He has hardly seen Prince Archie, and I am not sure he has even seen Princess Lilibet more than once. It is a very sad state of affairs."
In contrast, King Charles frequently sees Prince William's children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—due to their closer proximity.
During his 2023 lawsuit regarding security, Prince Harry emphasized the difficulties of returning to the UK. "It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home," Harry stated in his court witness statement. He expressed his desire for his children to feel at home in the UK but cited safety concerns as a major obstacle.
"That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too," Harry added.
Despite the strained relationships, insiders report that King Charles hopes for peace within the family. "The last few years have been particularly testing for the monarchy, and the King appears to be very much focused on the future, rather than things that have happened along the way," an insider said.
Meghan Markle earns six-figure income from global sales of 'Suits'
Meghan Markle has secured a substantial six-figure income from the worldwide sale of her TV drama 'Suits', according to The Mail on Sunday. The legal drama, which concluded in 2019, has experienced a resurgence on streaming platforms, leading to profitable deals with international broadcasters, including the BBC.
The unexpected revival of 'Suits' on Netflix and Peacock in 2023 has transformed it into the most-streamed show of the year, maintaining the top spot for 12 consecutive weeks. This renewed popularity has sparked global interest, resulting in the series being sold to over 240 territories. While NBCUniversal, responsible for the series' sales, has not disclosed specific royalty figures, it is estimated that Meghan Markle could have earned nearly $200,000 (£155,000) from Netflix alone.
These earnings from repeat fees add to what Markle initially earned per episode during her tenure as Rachel Zane from 2011 to 2017. An NBC source confirmed that 'principal performers' like Markle receive residuals from global sales, typically earning a percentage of the deal price. Media website Deadline estimated that Netflix paid $37.5 million (£29.5 million) to license 'Suits' with the six leading actors sharing 3.6 percent of that fee, suggesting significant earnings for Markle from this deal.
The BBC's acquisition of 'Suits' for iPlayer, reportedly outbidding ITV, underscores the show's broad appeal and continued profitability. While the corporation has not revealed the deal's cost or whether Markle benefited financially, Markle herself described the show's resurgence as "wild" and expressed surprise at its ongoing success.
Entertainment expert Mark Boardman attributes the show's revival partly to the public's fascination with Markle. He noted that Markle's global fame has significantly raised the show's profile, attracting fans and critics interested in her performances and persona. The unexpected financial windfall from 'Suits' provides a welcome boost for the Sussexes, who reside in a palatial Montecito mansion with a £7.3 million mortgage.
