The Royal Household’s release of the Sovereign Grant Report for the 2023-2024 financial year has brought to light not only the royal family’s financial standing but also a substantial outpouring of public support for Princess Catherine and King Charles. Amidst this, Meghan Markle has leveled serious accusations against the royal family, claiming they are engaging in media manipulation, or “media-looking,” to garner public sympathy and overshadow her and Prince Harry.

On July 24, the Royal Household unveiled its annual financial statement, revealing various highlights of their official work. Among the most striking figures was the sheer volume of mail received: 138,303 items of correspondence were sent to the royal family, with 27,620 of these being well-wishes for King Charles and Princess Kate following their respective health announcements. This significant show of public support has been celebrated by the royal family, but it has also drawn criticism from Meghan Markle.

In early February, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun treatment. Shortly after, Princess Kate revealed in a pre-recorded speech that she was undergoing chemotherapy following post-operative tests that detected cancer. Both royals subsequently stepped back from public-facing duties to focus on their health, though King Charles continued to work behind the scenes, resuming public engagements by the end of April. Princess Kate remained largely out of the spotlight, only making notable appearances at Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon in July.

The wave of well-wishes they received has been publicly acknowledged and appreciated by both royals. Princess Kate expressed her gratitude, saying the messages of support had made a significant difference to her and Prince William during challenging times. King Charles also shared his emotional response to the support, stating that the numerous cards and messages had moved him to tears.

However, Meghan Markle has accused the royal family of using these personal health struggles to manipulate media coverage and public perception. She alleges that the extensive reporting on the well-wishes and the health updates are part of a broader strategy to divert attention from other issues and criticisms facing the royal family, including the ongoing scrutiny of Prince Harry and Meghan themselves.

Markle’s accusations of “media-looking” suggest that she believes the royal family is deliberately shaping media narratives to maintain their favorable public image. This is particularly poignant given the historical context of her and Prince Harry’s contentious relationship with the British press and their decision to step back from royal duties partly due to negative media coverage.

The Sovereign Grant Report also detailed other notable figures, including 31,311 items of correspondence related to the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May 2023. Despite the high volume of mail this year, it did not surpass the previous year’s record of 183,207 items, driven by Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and her subsequent death.

Financially, the report noted that the total Sovereign Grant for 2023-2024 remained at approximately $111 million for the third consecutive year. This grant supports the official travel, property upkeep, and operating costs of the sovereign’s household. Additionally, it highlighted that the royal family undertook over 2,300 engagements worldwide, and the diversity of the Royal Household staff increased, with ethnic minority staff making up 11.4% of the total employees.

The report, while providing transparency and highlighting the public’s support for the royals during their health struggles, also underscores the ongoing tension within the royal family. Meghan Markle’s accusations add another layer to the complex dynamics of public perception and media influence surrounding the British monarchy.