Veteran broadcaster Gayle King is said to be strategically grooming Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, to bolster the debut of her upcoming CNN talk show, according to insiders.

The 68-year-old television personality, along with basketball legend Charles Barkley, recently signed a significant deal with the cable network to host the weekly prime-time show, "King Charles."

King, sources suggest, has been assiduously engaging with the Sussexes since their controversial 2021 interview, which painted the royal family in a light of racial prejudice. This comes as King's primary platform, CBS Mornings, continues to grapple with ratings that lag behind competing shows such as Good Morning America and Today.

"Despite CBS Mornings' struggles, Gayle has always touted her ability to secure high-profile TV interviews. To validate her claims, she needs a significant scoop for the new show," an insider revealed, as reported by National Enquirer.

In what some see as a calculated move, King recently lauded the royal couple, saying they are "in a really good place" and made the "best choice" when Meghan decided to sit out King Charles' coronation in California. This support, some insiders believe, is intended to curry favor with the Sussexes, who are increasingly distancing themselves from the royal family.

"Gayle is well aware that her explicit endorsement of the Sussexes' actions may further alienate them from the royal family. Nevertheless, she is willing to risk it in hopes of gaining their support, and the potential ratings boost they could bring," a source explained.

In the tumultuous and competitive world of television talk shows, King seems to be making a calculated gamble. Her strategic alliance with the Sussexes, while potentially risky, could also result in a significant ratings boost for her new show, placing her in a strong position within the industry. It remains to be seen how this strategy will play out as the launch of "King Charles" draws nearer.