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It’s been a roller coaster ride for the royal family over the last few years with the family feud being at the forefront of the news. However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have found solid ground in 2024 after a very rocky road in 2023. Prince William and Kate Middleton probably wish they were on a similar path, but the Princess of Wales’ health crisis has been a major setback for them.

With the Sussexes thriving, it’s understandable that there is major “pressure” on Prince William to deliver with his pet projects like the Earthshot Prize. Tom Bower, author of Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, told Woman magazine, via The Sun, that Harry and Meghan’s success is “rubbing salt in the wound” for the Waleses. “I can imagine that Kate and William are deeply upset by having the Sussexes’ brand operation rubbed in their face while they’re going through this tragedy,” claimed the royal expert, who is always critical of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

TOPSHOT – Britain’s Prince Harry (R), Duke of Sussex, and Britain’s Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, take part in activities as they arrive at the Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary.KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images

Bower thinks the timing of Harry and Meghan’s rebrand is inappropriate given the health issues of both Kate and King Charles III. “While they’re establishing this so-called brand Sussex, the family here is going through torment,” he added. “After Charles’ diagnosis, Harry came over for half an hour and that’s it, he’s done nothing else.” The author may want to remind himself that Harry tried to see his father during his recent U.K. visit, even inviting him to the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games, but Charles declined.

After Harry and Meghan’s successful tour in Nigeria, the Mirror is reporting that the West African country of Ghana is eager to have the couple visit. “There is already a lot of talk and excitement in Ghana, everyone is so keen for Harry and Meghan to come and experience the great culture and warmth,” a source gushed. “Several top names have already visited Ghana in recent years from Ed Sheeran, Naomi Campbell, and One Direction’s Liam Payne. Idris Elba, who DJ’d at Harry and Meghan’s wedding is a regular too, he is part-Ghanaian and loves spending time ‘back home.’” The Sussexes did their best to keep the Nigerian visit informal so it wouldn’t look like a royal tour, and the palace is going to have to accept that Harry and Meghan have global appeal.

If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hadn’t pivoted with their work this year, they would have been criticized for being in their post-royal flop era. However, they have found a groove that is working for them, and it just so happens to come at a time when the royal family is experiencing multiple setbacks. Nobody could have predicted these events, so royalists need to stop blaming Harry and Meghan for succeeding while the palace is down.