‘They’re Riding Roughshod’: Prince Harry and Meghan Accused of Breaking Queen’s Rules to ‘Cash In’ on Royal Status
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing accusations of making millions from their royal ties. Speaking to New! Magazine, royal expert Duncan Larcombe said the couple was doing exactly what the late Queen had said they couldn’t do.
“They have cashed in on their royal status, making tens of millions of pounds by selling out the royal brand – a brand that is usually tightly controlled and carefully orchestrated,” he said. According to International Business Times UK, Larcombe added that William “has every right to be angry” with Harry.
The expert continued, “They are riding roughshod over those rules. You couldn’t ask for a clearer example of ‘half-in, half-out’.” He questioned Markle’s decision to accompany Harry on public engagements. “The fact that Meghan is accompanying Harry on engagements indicates she has no intention of toeing the line,” Larcombe said.
He also discussed how their appearances could affect William and Kate Middleton. “William will likely be furious because the royal rota is planned months in advance carefully. Even if it doesn’t directly clash with William and Kate’s schedule, it is guaranteed to steal headlines because of Harry and Meghan’s massive global profile,” Larcombe noted.
“Some might claim they are just private individuals doing charitable work, but no other private individuals get this level of media coverage,” he stated. Harry and Markle announced their decision to step back as senior royals and become financially independent on January 8, 2020.
They also planned to split their time between the U.K. and North America. Queen Elizabeth addressed their decision on January 13. She said the family respected their choice. However, she admitted they would’ve preferred the couple to remain full-time working royals. Buckingham Palace announced the final arrangements on January 18.
Under the new arrangement, Harry and Markle would no longer carry out royal duties or receive public funds for them. They also couldn’t formally represent the Queen. The couple retained their HRH titles but agreed not to use them.
That same month, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry and Markle wouldn’t return as working royals. Queen Elizabeth also recalled their honorary military roles and royal patronages. The Palace later redistributed these among working royals.
Harry and Markle recently returned to Nottingham on October 15, 2026. It was their first joint public appearance in Britain since returning from California two months earlier. The couple visited three local organizations during the trip. Their first stop was the Community Recording Studio in St Ann’s.
The charity gives young people access to music, creative activities, and mentoring. Next, they visited Himmah, a charity that supports families facing food poverty. Markle also reunited with the women behind her 2018 cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook. She had worked with them after the Grenfell Tower fire.
Their final stop was Epic Partners, a charity supporting young people through sports and mentoring. Harry and Markle met staff and young people during the visit. They also greeted supporters, shook hands, and posed for photographs.
Around 100 schoolchildren and well-wishers gathered to see them. Harry and Markle also spoke about their Nottingham visit. According to BBC News, Harry said, “It’s great to be back. Wonderful and great to be back in Nottingham too.”
Markle also spoke about seeing her friends at Himmah. She called the reunion “really, really meaningful” and thanked the reporter for asking. Nottingham holds a special place for the couple. They made their first joint public appearance there in 2017, shortly after announcing their engagement.
