The couple has persuaded senior family members to extend a trial period away from the royal spotlight by another 12 months but palace sources say there is now little hope of a return to the fold after their high-profile departure. One said the string of lucrative business deals secured by the Sussexes was a “nail in the coffin” for any possible royal return. Another said the prospect was now “dead in the water”.
A source told the Daily Mail: “It’s solely down to the choices they have made.
“There is no anger or animosity but every commercial deal that has been done by the Sussexes has been a nail in the coffin of any kind of return to royal life.”
Another palace insider said: “To come back would mean they would have to undo all the commercial tie-ups they have already done, and clearly Harry and Meghan don’t want to do that.
“That is absolutely their choice and the Queen has agreed they can pursue these new carers.
“But to cap it all, they have bought a house 6,000 miles away, which is an unmistakable statement of intent on their behalf.”
Meghan and Harry made the bombshell announcement that they were stepping back from royal live 12 months ago and thrashed out the so-called “Megxit” agreement with the Queen and senior royals which gave them a chance to return if their new lives failed to live up to expectations.
The couple moved to the US where they have launched a podcast and signed a lucrative deal to make TV series, films and kids’ shows for Netflix.
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8.03am update: Meghan and Harry’s backed social enterprise instead of buying Christmas presents
Meghan Markle Prince Harry decided to support a social enterprise in a special way instead of buying their son Archie Christmas presents, it has emeged.
The couple bought 100 hats from Make Give Live, which supports children in need, in their son’s name.
The brand was subsequently flooded with customers, receiving 300 orders in just one day, a huge jump from their usual 45 purchases per month.
Company’s founder Claire Conza said the letter she received from Meghan and Harry was a “wonderful gift for the organisation.”
She told the New Zealand Herald: “As Make Give Live operates on a buy one, give one model, this will allow the group to make an extra 200 hats to distribute to families in need next winter through the various charities it supports.”
7.30am update: Meghan Markle’s sister to expose ‘pushy’ duchess in new book
Meghan Markle’s half-sister Samantha Markle is set lift the lid on her family’s life with the release of a bombshell tell-all book.
The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister Part 1 goes on sale in the US next Friday and is expected to send shockwaves through the royal family.
Samantha Markle’s controversial decision to write a memoir has reportedly led to “threats and harassment” as she claimed some are trying to stop her from publishing a book about the Duchess of Sussex.
The Duchess was allegedly aware of her half-sister’s plans to write a book and had been “in tears” when she first found out.
