Royal Family's strategy of cutting off Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has paid off

For a time, it seemed as though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held a spotlight that outshone the rest of the Firm.

The Sussexes, once celebrated as fresh and modern faces within the Royal Family, gradually distanced themselves through media appearances, interviews, and a series of explosive revelations, most notably in their interview with Oprah Winfrey and Harry’s memoir Spare.

Yet, after years of being at the mercy of public accusations and personal grievances aired by Harry and Meghan, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the Firm have quietly, but strategically, turned the tide.

The decision to adopt an ‘ice them out’ approach has proven not only to be effective but essential for the preservation of the monarchy’s integrity.

The early responses from Buckingham Palace were, by all accounts, attempts to retain civility, and perhaps save face in public.

Invitations were extended to Harry and Meghan for key family events - weddings, funerals, and even the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

These gestures appeared to be efforts to bridge the gap, offer olive branches, and give the couple opportunities to re-engage with their family.

But each appearance seemed to bring renewed tensions, additional grievances, and fresh drama.

After all, it was just days after the couple attended the Jubilee that the world was hit with fresh rounds of allegations in their bombshell Oprah interview.

Initially, the Royal Family’s approach was to pander to the Sussexes’ whims. Invitations remained open to save face and present a united front.

The British media often speculated that this was a strategy to avoid further embarrassment and limit the damage to the Royal Family’s reputation.

However, as time wore on and grievances were aired in increasingly public and contentious ways - from Harry’s memoir to scathing comments by royal commentator and Sussex mouthpiece Omid Scobie - this tactic began to feel futile.

The turning point came when King Charles and Queen Camilla seemed to change their approach.

The Sussexes were no longer publicly acknowledged in the same way.

This became glaringly apparent during Christmas at Sandringham in 2022, where Harry and Meghan’s absence was felt, but not mentioned.

The Royal Family carried on, showing unity in their carefully curated public image.

King Charles, in his first Christmas address, made no direct reference to his youngest son, instead emphasising service and duty, leaving behind the constant reminder of royal rifts. It was a subtle, yet powerful message.

Over the past year, the Royal Family has fully embraced the ‘ice them out’ strategy.

Invitations for major events no longer seem extended to the Sussexes, and the response has been a growing irrelevance of Harry and Meghan in royal discussions.

At the Coronation, their presence was perfunctory - Prince Harry attended alone, relegated to a back pew, while Meghan remained in California.

There was no photo op, no personal interaction between Harry and his father, and little room for speculation.

The King and Queen made it clear: the Sussexes are no longer integral to the royal narrative.

This calculated cold shoulder, while perhaps viewed as harsh by some, has proven to be effective in preserving the monarchy’s dignity.

By refraining from retaliating publicly and refusing to engage in the Sussexes’ media wars, the Royal Family has reasserted its role as a symbol of stability and tradition, standing firm against the tides of scandal and public drama.

The monarchy has historically thrived on its image as an unshakeable institution, and engaging in public disputes with its own members would only erode that image.

Charles and Camilla’s silent treatment of Harry and Meghan has shifted the narrative: while the Sussexes’ early revelations stirred shockwaves, the drama has since diminished as they become further removed from the heart of the monarchy.

For King Charles, this strategy is about more than just personal vindication. It’s about preserving the monarchy’s future.

He and Queen Camilla have focused their efforts on securing the integrity of the institution for generations to come, concentrating on the roles of Prince William and the wider family.

The Royal Family can no longer afford to be dominated by the grievances of the Sussexes, who have chosen a different life across the pond.

The focus has shifted towards maintaining the prestige of the institution, the continuity of tradition, and presenting a united, dignified front.

There is also a practical element to this strategy. For too long, the constant back-and-forth between the Royal Family and the Sussexes allowed the latter to dominate headlines.

By adopting the ‘ice them out’ approach, King Charles has effectively removed the fuel that has kept this fire burning.

Without new royal drama to react to, the Sussexes have struggled to maintain their relevance.

Their post-royal ventures, though notable, have lacked the momentum that their royal connections once afforded them.

With each passing month of being snubbed by the Firm, their public currency seems to be waning which might account for their own change of tact recently by splitting their interests and going solo.

The ultimate irony is that the Sussexes’ move to air the Royal Family’s dirty laundry in such an explosive way might have benefitted the monarchy.

By choosing to ignore them, King Charles and Queen Camilla have allowed the storm to pass.

The monarchy, once bruised by the Sussexes' public revelations, has emerged stronger, more focused on its core mission, and less distracted by internal feuds.

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s strategy of cutting off Harry and Meghan has paid off.

By refusing to engage in the drama, they have starved it of oxygen, and in doing so, reasserted the royal family’s authority and dignity.

In an era where public opinion can shift in an instant, their silence has spoken louder than words.

And in the long game of preserving the monarchy, it seems King Charles has made the winning move.