What Meghan and Harry could learn from Edward and Wallis Simpson

As rumours about their marriage swirl in the US press, it is to a fellow American and another royal couple in exile that the duke and duchess might turn to for inspiration, writes royal biographer Anna Pasternak

The only way that Meghan and Harry will survive is if they present a genuinely united front (Getty)

A year on from Queen Elizabeth II’s death, little has changed for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in terms of entente cordiale between the California-based couple and the royal family.

King Charles reportedly had “no time in his diary” to see Prince Harry in London last week, even though it was the first time that Harry had been back to the UK since June. Harry is still seen as a troublesome outcast from his family since his incendiary truth bombs on Oprah, his and Meghan’s Netflix documentary, and his shattering autobiography, Spare. Hardly surprisingly, plus ca change behind palace walls towards the Montecitos-in-exile.

And perhaps more worrisome are the persistent and nagging rumours that have gathered pace this summer that his marriage to Meghan is under strain, too. The recent optics from the couple, who are normally so adept at curating their image, are confounding. A visibly emotional Harry appeared starkly alone at the WellChild Awards on Thursday night.