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The discussion began with a question many royal watchers had been asking: why were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle absent from the recent royal wedding celebration? The panel agreed that inviting the Sussexes would likely have overshadowed the event itself. Rather than focusing on the bride and groom, media attention would have shifted entirely toward Harry and Meghan. Their attendance would have become the headline, distracting from what was meant to be a joyful family occasion.
Some speculated that security concerns may have played a role, while others joked that the couple might not have wanted to deal with the expense or attention. Ultimately, the consensus was that the wedding should remain about the newlyweds, not about ongoing royal controversies. If Harry and Meghan had appeared, every camera and conversation would have focused on them.
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As the conversation moved on, attention turned to Meghan's lifestyle brand and one of its latest products: luxury candles. One commentator admitted that receiving candles as gifts had always felt disappointing, arguing that they seemed like impersonal presents given when someone did not really know the recipient's interests. Yet Meghan's company now sells premium candle sets priced well above $100.
The issue attracting criticism was not simply the price but Meghan's own past comments. Around a decade ago, on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, she reportedly criticized expensive candles, describing $100 candles as "obnoxious." Now, however, her current brand offers candle collections that cost even more than the products she once mocked.
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Panel members questioned whether people should be judged for comments they made ten years earlier. Some argued that opinions naturally evolve over time. Others believed the situation highlighted a clear contradiction. One participant described it as hypocritical, pointing out that public figures should review their previous statements before making dramatic shifts in direction. The discussion also touched on whether anyone would realistically want to spend so much money on candles.
Another point raised was inflation. While prices have certainly risen over the past decade, critics maintained that the main issue was not the cost itself but the contrast between Meghan's earlier criticism and her current business practices. Several panelists suggested that financial motivations may have influenced the change, arguing that commercial success sometimes leads people to compromise previous principles.
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The conversation expanded into a broader assessment of Harry and Meghan's post-royal business ventures. Some participants argued that the couple had become highly focused on monetizing their public profile and royal connections since stepping down as working royals. In their view, this latest candle controversy was simply another example of that trend.
Attention then shifted to Meghan's interactions with online supporters. A recent story reported that Meghan had sent a gift package from her lifestyle brand, complete with a handwritten note, to a prominent social media supporter. The recipient, known online as "Notorious JTB," had previously shared content critical of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
This sparked debate about whether public figures should engage with supporters who have a history of attacking others online. Critics argued that sending gifts to such individuals could be interpreted as rewarding negative behavior. Even if the intention was simply to thank a supporter, they said, the optics were problematic.
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One panelist expressed surprise that such a decision had been made, suggesting that public relations advisers would likely have warned against it. Others argued that Harry and Meghan often appear more concerned with influence, engagement, and publicity than with how their actions are perceived by critics.
The discussion then broadened to the phenomenon known as the "Sussex Squad," a group of highly devoted online supporters of Harry and Meghan. Participants noted that some members of these communities have become extremely aggressive toward other members of the royal family. They argued that social media has intensified divisions, creating rival groups that fiercely defend their preferred royals while attacking others.
According to the panel, much of this polarization intensified during controversies involving allegations of racism within the royal family and disputes surrounding Harry and Meghan's departure from royal duties. Combined with media coverage of family tensions, these events contributed to a deeply divided online environment.
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When asked whether similar rivalries existed in earlier royal eras, one former royal insider explained that tensions and media briefings were certainly present during the years of conflict between King Charles and Princess Diana. Negative stories were often leaked to journalists as part of internal battles for public sympathy. However, the key difference was that social media did not exist at the time. Disagreements played out through newspapers and letters rather than anonymous online accounts capable of reaching millions of people instantly.
The conversation eventually turned to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Harry and Meghan in the United Kingdom. Questions were raised about whether the property had become something of a burden. Significant funds were spent renovating the cottage before the couple left royal life and relocated to North America. Despite the investment, they lived there for less than a year before moving abroad.
Reports suggest that the property may now be returned to its previous layout, reversing some of the renovations that transformed multiple residences into a single family home. Panelists noted that the cottage has remained largely unused since Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate it. Even Prince Andrew reportedly declined the opportunity to move there.
Opinions differed on whether King Charles was right to remove the couple's access to the property. Some argued that once Harry and Meghan chose to stop being working royals and relocate overseas, it made sense for them to give up a royal residence. Others felt the cottage could have remained available as a family base, potentially helping maintain closer ties between Harry, his father, and his children.
The discussion concluded on a reflective note. Several participants expressed concern that the physical distance between California and the United Kingdom has made reconciliation increasingly difficult. With Harry's children spending most of their lives abroad, some suggested that King Charles has had very limited opportunities to build a relationship with his grandchildren. In their view, the continuing separation between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family remains one of the most significant unresolved issues within the monarchy today.
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