Donald Trump’s ramped-up feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is no accident – he knows ordinary Americans agree
DONALD Trump is known for many things – his towers, his tweets, and his larger-than-life persona.
Yet, one of his more underrated qualities lies in his ability to take the national temperature.
Consider, for example, his views on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, whom for years he has been involved in an escalating tit-for-tat war of words with.
This week, his son, Eric, labelled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “spoiled apples” – proving that, indeed, Donald’s own apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Observers might be tempted to view the Trump-Sussex discord as just another round of celebrity gossip.
But, it tellingly proves the former [and perhaps next] President is feeling emboldened enough to give voice to the frustrations of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, who increasingly hold a widespread disdain for the Sussexes’ perceived disloyalty, victimhood and entitlement.
The public spat stretches back to 2016 when Meghan Markle, during a late-night talk show appearance, called Trump “misogynistic” and “divisive,” suggesting she might move to Canada if he won the presidency.
In response, Trump labelled her as “nasty” in a 2019 interview, and their exchanges continued to escalate over the years.
Harry criticised Trump during a prank call in 2020, while the Republican threatened to deny the couple US security costs after they moved to Los Angeles.
Most recently, in 2023, Trump rebuked Meghan for skipping King Charles’ coronation and hinted at the possibility of revoking Harry’s US visa over his past drug use, as revealed in his memoir, “Spare.”
Eric added further fuel to this feud in a recent GB News interview, characterising the Sussexes as “spoiled apples” and suggesting he would “happily send them back” to the UK.
Such remarks encapsulate a broader sentiment among many Americans who perceive Harry and Meghan as self-serving, hypocritical grifters.
Their actions – including attacks on Harry’s family and complaints about, well, everything from their gilded Montecito mansion – strike many as out of touch with ordinary values.
During his presidency, Trump positioned himself as a staunch ally to Britain, advocating for Brexit, supporting a free trade agreement (thwarted by Nancy Pelosi’s Democratic congress) and expressing admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
His support for the monarchy aligns him with a significant segment of the American populace that shares a respect for tradition and stability, and that appreciates the great contributions to the West of the Anglosphere.
This admiration – echoed in Eric’s remarks, who insisted that the UK has “no better ally” than his father – collides sharply with Harry and Meghan’s apparent betrayals and attacks on the Royal Family.
While the couple enjoy a lavish lifestyle, they have harmed the very institution that provided them their fame.
This behaviour strikes many as the height of hypocrisy.
This sentiment was reinforced in July when Harry was nominated for the Pat Tillman Award for Service, prompting a bruising backlash and a petition signed by over 70,000 people to reconsider the nomination on the grounds that Harry’s behaviour was too “controversial and divisive”.
Tough stance
Notably, Trump’s tough stance on Harry’s visa status serves a dual purpose: it not only appeals to those frustrated by the couple’s perceived entitlement but also positions him as a champion of American interests.
By threatening to take action, Trump signals that he prioritises the integrity of immigration laws and the values of ordinary Americans, further solidifying his image as a protector of traditional US principles.
His critique taps into a cultural dissatisfaction with what is perceived as entitlement and self-promotion, making him a figure who resonates with many ordinary Americans.
His long-standing admiration for the British monarchy positions him as a champion for traditional values, drawing a clear line between himself and the Sussexes, as well as predecessors Joe Biden and Barack Obama, who infamously threatened that Brexit Britain would be “back of the queue.”
Between now and November’s US election, don’t be surprised if the war of words continues to escalate.
Lee Cohen, an author and Royal commentator was adviser on Great Britain to the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Californian home
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in their luxury Montecito mansion since they splashed out £11.93m on it in June 2020.
The sprawling nine-bed, 16-bath home in Santa Barbara sits on 5.4 acres of land and features a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar and five-car garage, it’s believed.
The estate also boasts sweeping lawns, tiered rose gardens, tall Italian cypress trees, blooming lavender, olive trees, a tennis court, tea house, children’s cottage and a pool.
The couple have treated fans to glimpses of their multiple living spaces on several occasions – showing off a minimalist vibe.
It is said to have more than doubled in value since the former royals bought it.