Dampier highlighted a pervasive sense of distrust towards Harry and Meghan within the royal fold, asserting that they have essentially "lost the trust of the royal family." This erosion of trust, he suggests, stems from what he perceives as exploitative behavior exhibited by the couple in the period leading up to Queen Elizabeth's demise in 2022.
An element of concern centers on the couple's tendency to arrive at engagements accompanied by a retinue of media personnel, including film crews and photographers. Dampier emphasized a prevailing apprehension that any discussions or interactions involving Harry and Meghan could potentially be exploited for public consumption, whether through televised programs or podcasts.
This apprehension has translated into a reluctance on the part of the royal family to engage with the couple in ways that could potentially be co-opted for external projects, such as those affiliated with Netflix. Dampier stressed that there's a clear aversion among royals to being featured in any content associated with the Sussexes.
Furthermore, the late Queen herself adopted a cautious approach, consciously avoiding public appearances alongside Harry, Meghan, and their children, Archie and Lilibet. Dampier suggested that Queen Elizabeth remained cognizant of the potential for exploitation surrounding any images featuring her alongside the Sussex family.
Ultimately, Dampier's commentary paints a picture of a royal family navigating a delicate balance between maintaining their privacy and managing their public image in the face of what they perceive as a risk of exploitation from certain quarters.
