Palace courtiers are gripped by anxiety over intensifying behind-the-scenes manoeuvres involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as the Sussexes increasingly trade on royal connections amid their business setbacks. One senior insider offered a tantalising 13-word warning to the Daily Mail: "A lot is going on behind the scenes that people don't know about." The fear centres on Meghan's forthcoming appearance at a high-ticket Sydney women's retreat next month, where fans will pay up to £1,705 for a "Meet Meghan" VIP experience featuring a group photo with the Duchess of Sussex and gala dinner.

One well-placed royal source likened the paid event to the money-making antics of Sarah Ferguson, declaring bluntly: "She's basically Fergie." The development revives memories of Queen Elizabeth II's firm 2020 Sandringham ruling that barred the couple from "half-in, half-out" royal roles to prevent the monarchy being tainted by commercial conflicts. With Netflix and Spotify deals having collapsed and ventures like As Ever stalling, the Sussexes' renewed push for reconciliation-and potentially restored taxpayer-funded security-has apparently left officials deeply unsettled.

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