In the sprawling corridors of Buckingham Palace, the age-old adage, "You can take the prince out of the palace, but not the palace out of the prince," seems to be echoing louder than ever. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who recently celebrated his 39th birthday, is reportedly still reaching out to his father, King Charles III, for financial support.

The Duke's recent public appearances, especially during the 2023 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, alongside Meghan Markle, have been a testament to his commitment to charitable causes. The couple's united front at the event, under the scrutiny of international press cameras, has dispelled ongoing rumors of a potential royal divorce. However, royal commentator Daniela Elser points out a conundrum. She questions, "Without the big fat royal foundation bank accounts, without the convening power of an HRH, and without oodles of time to spend focused solely on cause-driven work, what are the chances that Harry might come up with a second achievement of the caliber of Invictus?"

This financial tethering comes despite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision in 2020 to step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family and relocate to the United States. Their quest for financial independence and a life away from the royal spotlight has been well-documented. Yet, it appears that the umbilical cord connecting Harry to his royal heritage, especially in monetary terms, hasn't been entirely severed.

The British monarchy, under the reign of King Charles III and the longstanding influence of Queen Elizabeth II, has been clear in its stance: the privileges of the royal treasury are reserved for working members of the royal family. Royal author Angela Levin sheds light on this, sharing that Harry has been in regular contact with the royal household, often seeking apologies and financial support. Queen Elizabeth II's message to her grandson has been unequivocal: a non-working royal cannot enjoy the best of both worlds.

The monarchy's attempt to distance itself from the Sussexes is further evident in the upcoming documentary chronicling King Charles III's reign. This major broadcast, set to be the first of its kind focusing on Charles after decades of programs centered around Queen Elizabeth II, is expected to sidestep any mention of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A palace insider revealed, "Both the BBC and ITV are in talks to air the program — but there has already been a strict ban on making any mention of Meghan and Harry. As far as the palace is concerned, those two are not part of the narrative going forward."

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to navigate their path, balancing their newfound independence with the weight of royal legacy, the British monarchy seems intent on charting its course, with or without the Sussexes in the storyline.