Royal redemption unraveled: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2024 hopes dashed

In the world of royals, redemption can be a hard-fought battle, and it seems that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s aspirations for a “year of redemption” in 2024 might be nothing more than a fleeting dream, according to royal author Phil Dampier.

Dampier, who has been closely following the Sussexes’ journey, expressed skepticism about the couple’s ambitions.

“Harry and Meghan have let it be known that they see 2024 as their year of redemption, to which my reaction is good luck with that,” he remarked to The Sun.

“It’s a trite phrase dreamt up by their Hollywood PR people and in reality means very little.”

The royal expert emphasised the need for tangible actions to support their desire for redemption.

“Actions speak louder than words, and the Sussexes need to do things which will convince the public on both sides of the Pond that they want to redeem themselves, not just talk about it,” Dampier stated.

Highlighting recent royal events, Dampier pointed to the Royal Family’s display of unity during the Christmas season, even extending invitations to Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson to join them in the celebrations.

Dampier believes “the message was clear” – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not welcomed at the royal festivities.

Dampier went on to suggest that in addition to the hurdles Harry and Meghan already face, the pair also face the daunting challenge of trying to rival the popularity of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

“I think the penny has finally dropped with them [the Sussexes] that they can never compete with an ancient institution admired around the world, particularly the good will still lingering from the late Queen’s reign,” he explained.

“Even in America, people are fed up with their constant moaning and want them to do something positive. Just turning up at the occasional charity event or being seen at concerts and baseball games isn’t enough.”

Dampier’s advice for the couple on the road to redemption includes a significant personal step – repairing the fractured relationship with Markle’s father, Thomas Markle.

“If they truly want to redeem themselves, they should get down to Mexico and see her father Thomas Markle before it’s too late,” he urged.

“Whatever he did in the past, he surely doesn’t deserve to never see his grandchildren. Harry has never met him, and I think the way he has been treated is cruel and sadistic.

“The King is also being deprived of seeing Archie and Lilibet, and that is also unfair.”

The future is looking rather bleak for the controversial pair, recently a prominent royal author cast a shadow over Prince Harry’s future, painting a less than optimistic picture of the challenges that may lie ahead for the Duke of Sussex.

Author of Once A King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII, Jane Marguerite Tippett drew intriguing parallels between the life of the Duke of Sussex and that of the Duke of Windsor. Notably, the latter abdicated the throne in pursuit of love with Wallis Simpson. Tippett suggests that these uncanny similarities might serve as an early indication of the path that lies ahead for the 39-year-old Prince.

“I think it will be a future of less and less importance in terms of who he is,” Tippett told 9Honey.

“Edward had been a Prince of Wales for 25 years, he had been a king emperor – the aura of that lasted most of his life, but even by the end of it he was of course a much less consequential figure than he was say in 1938 or ’39, when memories of him as the most important royal in the world were still very fresh.

“Prince Harry had a career of about five years as a working royal, this is so short.

“I think what you’ll find is that his importance is derived from the institution. The longer [Harry] is away from that institution, the less important he will be because he only has a position in relation to that.”

Harry’s departure from the Royal Family in 2020, commonly referred to as “Megxit”, signaled a major shift in the traditional dynamics of the Monarchy. Alongside Meghan Markle, Harry sought a more independent and private life, distancing himself from the intense media scrutiny that had been a constant presence throughout his life.

The decision was accompanied by revelations in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the couple candidly discussed their struggles within the royal institution. The interview shed light on the challenges they faced and strained relationships within the family, sparking widespread public discussion.

Since stepping back, Prince Harry’s ties with the Royal Family have appeared strained, with reports of tensions surfacing. While occasional public appearances hint at attempts at reconciliation, the distance remains palpable. The evolving dynamics continue to captivate public interest, leaving questions about both the future of his relationship with the family and his life in the public eye.

As the saga of Harry and Meghan continues to unfold, the challenges of redemption appear more daunting than ever, leaving many to wonder whether 2024 will indeed be the year they can turn the tide in their favour.