A rep for the Sussexes, who are in Canada for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebrations, says they ‘will not be broken’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are focusing on rebuilding their public image amidst ongoing family tensions.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently in Canada from February 14th to 16th for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebrations. During their three-day visit, they participated in activities alongside members of the participating nations’ Winter Training Camp, which provides adaptive sports training in preparation for the Games next year.
This visit follows shortly after Prince Harry’s brief trip to the U.K. He returned to his home country for just 24 hours to visit his father, King Charles III, after Buckingham Palace announced that the British monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
“Harry was taken aback by the frosty reception he received from his brother when he flew to London to check in on the king,” remarked Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” to Fox News Digital.
“It was supposed to be a moment for reconciliation, but it was clear that William showed no interest whatsoever,” Andersen added. “For Harry, it was a harsh rejection. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undoubtedly continue to closely monitor the king’s health, I believe that Harry and Meghan will now intensify their efforts to establish their brand completely separate from the royal family.”
A source informed Fox News Digital that the Duke of Sussex, aged 39, had previously been in communication with his father before news of his illness became public.
“The duke did indeed have a conversation with his father regarding his diagnosis,” the source affirmed.
According to multiple royal experts, the king and his son held a private meeting lasting 45 minutes. Reportedly, Harry and his elder brother, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, did not meet, with no plans for such an encounter.
Meanwhile, the duchess, aged 42, remained in California with their two young children.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the “To Di For Daily” podcast, informed Fox News Digital that the couple’s visit to Canada had been scheduled “well in advance,” predating the king’s health concerns.
“I believe that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle rely on the Invictus Games for positive reinforcement because it’s a commendable cause, initially established under the royal family’s auspices and based on a framework originally devised by palace staff. Do you think Prince Harry decides the placement of porta-potties? Highly unlikely. They welcome positive feedback and collaborate directly with media outlets that can provide it, but this trip was planned.”
Inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States, Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as a Paralympic-style event aimed at inspiring military veterans worldwide as they strive to overcome injuries sustained in combat. Harry himself served as a captain in the British Army.
However, the Invictus Games is not the only commitment occupying the couple’s time following the announcement of the king’s health issues.
On Monday, the couple quietly unveiled Sussex.com, a website featuring the latest updates about them, along with links to their Archewell Foundation organization and Archewell Productions hub. The site prominently displays Markle’s coat of arms, which incorporates Harry’s crest. It also highlights Harry’s recent appearance at the NFL Honors in Las Vegas, where he presented the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
Then, on Tuesday, it was revealed that the duchess has signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media. Not only will her Spotify series “Archetypes” be distributed across all podcast platforms, but she will also be launching a new show that she will host.
“The launch of Harry and Meghan’s new website appears to be another effort, in my view, to assert their heritage and demonstrate their commitment to supporting causes on both sides of the Atlantic, if permitted,” noted royal expert Ian Pelham Turner in conversation with Fox News Digital.
However, he cautioned that unless the couple aims to reconcile with the royal family, their recent actions might be perceived as mere “publicity stunts” by royal observers and ultimately disregarded.
“Their new website, utilizing their royal coat of arms and the title ‘The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,’ comes across as hypocritical,” he remarked. “Moreover, it’s crucial to remember that when they relocated to the U.S., they were explicitly advised against exploiting their royal status for commercial gains. The last thing the king needs while undergoing cancer treatment is to face the pressure of potential repercussions.”
“The negative issues surrounding the Invictus Games don’t bode well for their re-branding efforts,” he remarked.
“Harry has poured his heart and soul into the Invictus Games,” Andersen continued. “It’s a cause he turns to for grounding. He would prefer to be defined by Invictus rather than by his royal status.”
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Mirror: “We’ve heard repeatedly that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple. Yet, they persist. They continue to work and pursue their beliefs, despite facing constant challenges and criticism. This couple remains resilient.”
“Harry has poured his heart and soul into the Invictus Games,” Andersen continued. “It’s a cause he turns to for grounding. He would prefer to be defined by Invictus rather than by his royal status.”
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Mirror: “We’ve heard repeatedly that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple. Yet, they persist. They continue to work and pursue their beliefs, despite facing constant challenges and criticism. This couple remains resilient.”
A spokesperson for the couple did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
On Thursday, People magazine reported that the couple had chosen their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as the last name for their two children. The outlet noted that Sussex serves as their family surname. This decision aligns with the tradition observed by other members of the royal family.
In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals and relocated to California. During their departure, they cited alleged insensitivity from palace officials towards Markle’s mental health struggles while navigating royal life. Additionally, they claimed Markle faced racist attitudes from the U.K. press, which contributed to their decision to leave the country.
Following their departure, the couple voiced their grievances about life within the royal family. In 2021, they participated in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was watched by 50 million people globally. They then released a six-part docuseries on Netflix in 2022, followed by Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which became a bestseller in 2023.
The relationship between William and Harry, already strained at the time of Harry’s departure, deteriorated further when he publicly aired his grievances. Harry also delved into their sibling rivalry in his bestselling book.
“The trip to Canada serves as a three-day promotion for the 2025 Invictus Games,” Schofield commented. “For those upset about the king’s diagnosis, the new website may seem grandiose… this trip won’t change their opinion. For those advocating for the couple to be stripped of their titles, this trip won’t alter their stance. The prevailing sentiment is: ‘Why won’t they just disappear?'”
Schofield emphasized that the most effective way for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to improve their public image is to reconcile with the rest of the royal family. However, whether one side will extend an olive branch to the other remains uncertain.
“They find themselves in a peculiar position,” Schofield remarked. “Recent polls indicate a considerable number of people hold negative views towards them. Instead of embracing authenticity and humility, they choose to promote a website boasting their influence. It appears they lack self-awareness… Their continued defiance, particularly amidst the king’s health concerns, comes across as callous. They appear to exacerbate rather than alleviate pain and frustration during challenging times.”