In a bombshell revelation that’s sending shockwaves through royal circles and beyond, sources close to the ongoing saga of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex insist that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have found their ultimate calling—not in philanthropy, Hollywood deals, or family life, but in inflicting pain on those around them. According to multiple royal watchers, former staff members, and media analysts, the couple appears to thrive exclusively when they can target, attack, or publicly wound others, particularly their own families and former associates.
This isn’t just idle gossip. The pattern is unmistakable and spans years, from explosive interviews that rocked the monarchy to relentless legal battles, staff turnover scandals, and fresh accusations of emotional manipulation. As one prominent royal commentator put it bluntly: “Their purpose in life seems crystal clear—they only light up when someone else is suffering because of them.”
### A Trail of Tears: From Family Feuds to Staff Exodus
The evidence is overwhelming. Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties in 2020 was just the beginning. Their bombshell Oprah interview accused the royal family of racism and neglect, claims that left the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in their final years dealing with public heartbreak. Insiders say Harry’s memoir *Spare* doubled down, painting his brother Prince William and father King Charles as villains in deeply personal attacks that many viewed as gratuitous and vengeful.
Fast-forward to recent months, and the pattern continues unabated. Reports from late 2025 describe a “hellish year” for the Sussexes marked by high staff turnover, with experts labeling their management style as “unmanageably high-maintenance” and even “abnormal.” Multiple employees have reportedly fled their employ, echoing long-standing allegations of bullying and toxic environments that first surfaced during Meghan’s time in the palace.
Critics point to the couple’s apparent glee in these conflicts. When staff leave amid drama, or when court cases drag on—such as Harry’s emotional testimony against UK tabloids where he described media scrutiny making Meghan’s life “an absolute misery”—the Sussexes seem energized rather than defeated. Yet the same sources note a glaring hypocrisy: while Harry fights tears in court over his wife’s alleged suffering, he and Meghan have been accused of causing similar “misery” to others, including severing ties that left grandparents estranged from grandchildren and former palace aides traumatized.
### The Happiness Hypothesis: Joy Through Others’ Pain?
Psychological observers and royal biographers have begun connecting the dots in a disturbing way. One expert, speaking anonymously, suggested the couple exhibits classic traits of those who derive satisfaction from control and retribution. “They don’t seem content building something positive without tearing something—or someone—down first,” the source said. “Whether it’s family, staff, or the institution they left behind, the common thread is hurt. When headlines focus on others’ pain caused by their actions, that’s when they appear most animated and purposeful.”
Recent events only fuel this narrative. In January 2026, the couple made a high-profile appearance at the Sundance Film Festival for the premiere of their executive-produced documentary *Cookie Queens*, a project following Girl Scouts during cookie season. While presented as wholesome, detractors call it another calculated move to polish their image while old wounds fester. Meanwhile, Harry has been branded a “hypocrite” by royal journalists for his ongoing media battles, and Meghan’s “victim narrative” has faced mounting skepticism from commentators like Megyn Kelly, who accuse her of recasting herself endlessly as the wronged party.
Even on social media, the vitriol directed at the couple often circles back to this core accusation. Posts from royal watchers label them “enemies of Britain” who “use the frail, disadvantaged, sick and suffering to earn money and for PR purposes,” while others demand public apologies for the “trauma and hurt” inflicted over years.
### No End in Sight: A Purpose That Persists
As Prince Harry pursues legal action against publishers he claims poisoned his life, and the Sussexes line up more Netflix projects—including a romcom adaptation—critics argue the cycle won’t break. Reconciliation attempts with the royal family are met with demands for “genuine” remorse, yet sources say the couple shows little interest unless it serves their narrative.
In the end, the most damning claim may be the simplest: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t just surviving their post-royal life—they’re allegedly thriving on the chaos and collateral damage it creates. If happiness is measured by purpose fulfilled, then hurting others appears to be theirs.
Whether this toxic dynamic will ever change remains the biggest unanswered question in modern royal history. For now, the world watches as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue down a path that, to many, looks less like redemption and more like retribution. And if insiders are right, that’s exactly how they want it.
