In a development that has stunned royal watchers and intensified the ongoing feud within the British Royal Family, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made a surprise move that some insiders describe as a deliberate “twist of the knife.” Their latest decision — which includes signing a multi-year deal with a rival media outlet and launching a new UK-based initiative without consulting the Palace — is being labelled by some palace aides as “almost beyond belief.”

A Strategic — and Controversial — Move

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have officially announced a new long-term content partnership with Orion Media, a growing UK-based digital platform known for its outspoken, often anti-establishment editorial tone. The couple is reportedly launching a joint docu-series titled “Unfiltered: Britain Behind the Curtain”, which insiders suggest will explore “power, privilege, and public perception” in the UK — a description many have interpreted as a thinly veiled reference to the Royal Family and their own experiences within it.

While the Sussexes have maintained that the project is about “giving voice to the unheard,” critics say it’s a calculated move that will likely further damage their already strained relationship with King Charles III and Prince William.

“This isn’t just a new business venture — it’s a statement,” one royal source told The Daily Mirror. “They’ve gone beyond the point of subtle messaging. This is direct. And it’s almost beyond belief.”

Palace Reaction: ‘Stunned and Hurt’

Buckingham Palace has not issued an official statement on the matter, but royal aides speaking anonymously described the mood within the institution as “stunned and hurt.” Some senior courtiers believe that the timing — so soon after King Charles’ recent health scare and Prince William’s increased public workload — was “strategically insensitive.”

“It’s clear now that any hope of reconciliation is quickly fading,” said one senior aide. “This goes far beyond independence. It’s now about control, messaging, and perhaps even revenge.”

Tensions Reach New Heights

The Royal Family’s relationship with Harry and Meghan has been strained ever since the couple stepped down from their senior royal roles in 2020 and relocated to California. Their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021, followed by the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and Harry’s memoir Spare, exposed deep rifts within the monarchy.

Now, this new move seems to signal a shift from airing grievances to actively challenging the Royal Family’s public image.

According to insiders, the couple didn’t inform any senior royal family members — including King Charles or Prince William — about their partnership with Orion Media until shortly before the announcement was made public. A palace insider described it as “a blindsiding betrayal.”

A New UK-Based Initiative: Symbolic Return or Political Provocation?

Alongside the media partnership, Meghan and Harry have also revealed plans to launch a charitable leadership programme aimed at young UK entrepreneurs. The initiative, part of their Archewell Foundation, is scheduled to hold its inaugural summit in Manchester later this year.

Though framed as a philanthropic effort, royal commentators say the couple’s decision to base the program in the UK — after distancing themselves so publicly — feels contradictory at best, provocative at worst.

“Returning to the UK to launch a major program without mending ties with the Palace is incredibly bold,” said royal biographer Angela Levin. “It almost feels like a power play.”

Public Reaction: Divided Once Again

As always, public reaction to the Sussexes’ move has been sharply divided. Supporters have praised the couple for continuing to speak their truth and use their platform for positive change.

“They don’t owe the monarchy anything,” one user commented on X (formerly Twitter). “Harry and Meghan are free to live and work as they choose.”

However, critics were quick to accuse the couple of hypocrisy and attention-seeking behavior.

“They say they want privacy but keep doing the most public, controversial things possible,” one critic wrote. “How is this helping heal the divide?”

Where Does the Royal Family Go from Here?

As the Royal Family braces for potential fallout from the Sussexes’ upcoming content series, insiders say there’s little appetite within Buckingham Palace for further engagement with Harry and Meghan.

“There may have been a time for healing, but this latest move feels like a final straw,” one royal insider said.

King Charles, already under pressure due to his health and the growing burden of royal duties, is said to be “deeply saddened” by the continuing estrangement from his youngest son.

Conclusion: A Royal Rift That Shows No Signs of Healing

What was once hoped to be a temporary rift now appears to be a deepening divide. Meghan and Harry’s latest move — marked by independence, ambition, and unmistakable defiance — has escalated tensions to a level that some say may now be irreparable.

As the world watches this ongoing royal drama unfold, one thing is clear: reconciliation is not on the horizon. And for many inside the Palace, that realization is nothing short of heartbreaking.