The Royal Family could’ve avoided all of this by telling Harry upfront he couldn’t marry Meghan and remain a working Royal, it was either her or them.

If he still chose to marry her, he would lose all money that wasn’t already willed to him from Queen Mother/Diana and could not pubically appear at any family functions.

No child of his with Meghan would be formally received by the Royal Family. The child would have his/her place in line but would not be received (nor Meghan) by the rest of the family.

Instead, the Royal Family decided it would be great PR to pretend to accept this woman, while working with the tabloids and her jealous/narcissistic family to drive her out and stop the wedding.

If the Royal Family/British media stop paying Thomas Markle, he’s going to start singing that they paid him to help stop the wedding and break Harry/Meghan up after the wedding.

They’re paying him nicely to be quiet. That’s why you haven’t heard from him in a very long time.

If Harry then still chose to marry Meghan they would’ve left from the beginning (and still been happy).