The ongoing feud between former US President Donald Trump and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took a new turn following Trump’s recent remarks about Meghan Markle. Just hours after Trump labeled Meghan “terrible” and implied that Prince Harry was already facing enough difficulties in his marriage, the couple made a united public appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada. In what seemed to be a direct response to the swirling divorce rumors and Trump’s comments, Prince Harry and Meghan were seen engaging in affectionate gestures, including kissing and cuddling, demonstrating solidarity amid external pressures.
This marks their first official joint appearance since their visit to Colombia in August 2024, a tour that had sparked speculation about tensions within their relationship due to their noticeably separate schedules at times. The couple’s public display of affection at the Invictus Games is being interpreted by royal watchers as a deliberate move to dispel any notions of a marital rift, particularly following Trump’s pointed remarks about Meghan. Trump, in a recent interview with the New York Post, had suggested he would not push for Prince Harry’s deportation despite ongoing legal disputes over his visa, stating, “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” His comments added further fuel to the persistent rumors about troubles in Harry and Meghan’s marriage.
Prince Harry, in his opening address at the Invictus Games, appeared to make a veiled reference to Trump’s remarks, criticizing “weak moral character” in the world. “At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, and no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody—your courage, resilience, and humanity—illuminate a path forward for us all,” he said, addressing the audience of military veterans and competitors at the games he founded. While he did not directly name Trump, many interpreted the statement as a subtle rebuke of the former president’s rhetoric.
The tension between Trump and the Sussexes is longstanding. Meghan has been openly critical of Trump in the past, calling him “divisive” and “misogynistic” during his first presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Trump has frequently taken jabs at Prince Harry, accusing him of being dominated by Meghan and asserting that the couple has received unfair political and immigration advantages from the Biden administration. He previously mocked Harry as being “led around by the nose” and dismissed Meghan as a troublemaker.
The latest clash comes as Prince Harry remains embroiled in a legal battle with the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation over his US visa application. The foundation has been pushing for the release of his immigration records, arguing that he may have received preferential treatment when he and Meghan moved to California in 2020. The controversy stems from Harry’s own admissions in his memoir, Spare, where he detailed past drug use, including cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelics. The Heritage Foundation argues that if Harry failed to disclose this information in his visa application, he should face consequences similar to any other applicant in his situation.
During his campaign, Trump suggested that Harry could face deportation if it were proven that he misrepresented facts on his visa application, calling such an action “unforgivable.” He bluntly stated, “He would be on his own if it was up to me.” With Trump’s bid for re-election in 2024, the issue of immigration policy—including Harry’s case—could remain a politically charged topic.
Despite these tensions, Harry and Meghan have continued with their public engagements, seeking to reinforce their image as humanitarians and global influencers. The Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014 to support wounded veterans, remains one of his most significant contributions outside of the royal family. His speech at the opening ceremony, emphasizing resilience and leadership, was seen as an attempt to steer the focus back toward his charitable initiatives rather than the controversies surrounding him.
Meanwhile, political observers note that Trump’s renewed criticism of the Sussexes could be an effort to galvanize his conservative voter base, many of whom view Meghan as emblematic of Hollywood liberalism and elite privilege. With the 2024 US presidential election approaching, Trump’s attacks on high-profile figures like the Sussexes may serve as part of his broader strategy to highlight issues of favoritism and alleged political bias within the Biden administration.
As the Sussexes navigate yet another media storm, their appearance at the Invictus Games signals a determination to push back against negative narratives. Whether this latest exchange with Trump will have any long-term impact on their public standing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the ongoing battle of words between the former president and the royal couple is far from over.
