It’s been nearly five years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world by walking away from the British monarchy in what came to be known as “Megxit.” At the time, their decision was framed as a bold stand for freedom, privacy, and mental health. But according to one royal commentator, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have crossed a line—turning their once-sympathetic escape into a relentless campaign of attacks that has now left them “universally viewed as the villains.”

And here’s the kicker: even if they are sitting on explosive new revelations, nobody may care anymore.

A War of Words That Started with a Whisper

The first shots were fired quietly in early interviews and speeches, but it was the now-infamous 2021 Oprah Winfrey sit-down that turned the Sussexes’ grievances into global headlines. For two hours, Harry and Meghan laid bare their side of the story—alleging racism within the institution, a lack of support for Meghan’s mental health, and deep family rifts that pushed them out of the UK.

The most shocking moment? Meghan’s claim that there had been “concerns and conversations” within the family about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be. That one line alone sent shockwaves through the Commonwealth and cemented the interview as one of the most controversial royal moments of the century.

But according to Jack Royston, Newsweek’s Royal correspondent, it was also the moment where the Sussexes started losing control of their narrative. Speaking to The Sun, Royston argued:

“Particularly, I do think the Oprah interview—they botched it. It could have been done differently and better, in a way that would be less toxic and destructive. The racism allegation, they have clearly tried to change it retrospectively or row it back. So, obviously, Meghan botched how she described that story.”

The Netflix Factor and the Memoir That Reignited the Flames

If Oprah was the opening salvo, the Sussexes’ Netflix docuseries in late 2022 was the prolonged artillery barrage. Across six glossy episodes, the couple detailed their version of events with never-before-seen footage, intimate confessions, and thinly veiled digs at palace figures.

Then came Harry’s memoir, Spare, in early 2023—a book that left few royal bridges unburned. From physical altercations with Prince William to bitter grievances over royal hierarchy, the memoir’s rawness shocked even those who had sympathized with the couple’s earlier struggles.

The result? Public opinion began to tilt. Sympathy was still there in pockets—especially in parts of the U.S.—but in Britain, patience was wearing thin. What began as a David-and-Goliath tale was morphing into a public feud that felt never-ending.

“Receipts” and the Threat of a Nuclear Bombshell

One of the more intriguing threads Royston pulled on was Meghan’s long-rumored “receipts”—proof, allegedly, of everything she has claimed about the royal family.

“So, she’s always had this tendency to give these kind of slightly veiled threats that she’s sitting on this bombshell,” Royston explained. “They’ve always been floating these ideas that they’re sitting on a massive nuclear warhead that they can drop at any point.”

It’s the kind of claim that keeps both fans and critics on edge. But Royston suggests that time has blunted the weapon.

“They may well still be sitting on unused material that Harry says he’ll never share. But it doesn’t matter anymore because… they’re so uniformly viewed as the villains, particularly in Britain, but even in America, they’re not viewed in this protective way anymore.”

A PR War with No Opponent

One of the most damaging aspects, Royston argues, is that the Sussexes were effectively firing into a vacuum. The Royal Family famously operates under the motto “never complain, never explain”—meaning they rarely engage in public disputes. Without a counterattack, Harry and Meghan’s criticisms began to feel like an endless monologue, one that risked alienating even sympathetic audiences.

“Ultimately, they destroyed themselves by the way they basically relentlessly attacked Harry’s own family in a context where no one was fighting back,” Royston said.

The Turning Tide in America

While British public opinion has been cold for some time, Royston’s comments hint at a bigger problem: U.S. audiences may be losing interest too. The Sussexes initially found a warmer reception in America, where narratives about breaking free from oppressive traditions resonated strongly. But in recent months, that glow has dimmed.

Their Hollywood projects—once hotly anticipated—have faced mixed reviews. The Netflix docuseries drew big numbers but also significant backlash. A Spotify deal ended abruptly, with a top executive labeling them “grifters.” Even their charitable efforts through the Archewell Foundation have been criticized for low visibility and unclear impact.

The narrative has shifted from a fairy-tale escape to an ongoing soap opera—and audiences may be tuning out.

What Comes Next?

The big question now: will Harry and Meghan go for one last, headline-dominating reveal, or will they pivot toward a quieter public life?

If the “nuclear warhead” Royston mentions does exist, dropping it now could be a gamble. With their public image already damaged, another round of explosive allegations could either revive interest—or cement their status as Hollywood’s most famous pariahs.

For now, the couple remains in Montecito, focusing on media projects, philanthropy, and raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet. But in the shadow of their royal past, silence might not be a luxury they can afford.

The Final Word

Five years ago, they were the world’s most talked-about couple, breaking free from centuries-old tradition in a blaze of modern independence. Today, they stand accused of “toxic and destructive” behavior, with critics claiming they’ve squandered their goodwill through relentless attacks.

The tragedy, if you can call it that, is that the Sussexes’ original message—about mental health, systemic prejudice, and the right to self-determination—has been drowned out by the noise of their own making.

If there’s one truth in this saga, it’s that the battle for public sympathy is never over. But for Meghan and Harry, the war might already be lost.