After stepping down as senior members of the British royal family in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been building their brand and enjoying a somewhat quieter life in California. However, recent reports claim tensions are high as they grapple with the fallout from the end of their Spotify partnership and concerns over their Netflix deal.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have continued to publicly present a united front and have been involved in various projects such as their Netflix documentary and the Invictus Games, a sporting event created by Prince Harry for wounded, injured or sick military personnel. However, the stress of negotiating their new-found independence is reportedly causing a rift.
An insider reportedly told OK! magazine, “The past few months have been very challenging for Meghan and Harry. They feel as if they’re under constant scrutiny. Initially, they received a lot of support when they first left their royal duties, but they feel as though that support is dwindling and criticism is increasing.”
Another issue that has been reportedly causing strain is the backlash Harry has experienced over his award nomination and Meghan’s disappointment about the cancelation of their Spotify podcast contract which apparently she was fond of hosting. Royal expert Tom Quinn also noted that the couple’s waning popularity amongst Americans was adding to the strains.
In 2021, Harry and Meghan lost their Spotify contract after releasing just twelve episodes of their podcast, Archewell Audio. They publicly stated that the conclusion of their contract was a mutual decision with Spotify.
Following the loss of their podcast contract, Meghan signed a deal to produce a podcast with Lemonada Media, although rumors suggest the launch may be delayed until 2025. Furthermore, Harry’s nomination for the Pat Tillman Award, which he received for launching the Invictus Games in 2014, was met with backlash and sparked a petition to revoke the nomination, garnering support from over 70,000 individuals.
Meghan has also faced criticism for her upcoming Netflix show in partnership with her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The launch of the brand in early 2021 was met with mockery and speculation surrounding their Netflix contract’s future has fueled Meghan’s feeling of being under siege, according to Tom Quinn.
As the couple grapples with the pressures of their various ventures, questions are being raised about the strength of their partnership.
However, the couple are determined to prove their critics wrong. Their goal is to become number one, but for this, they know they have to adapt. This requires expanding their talents and overcoming numerous obstacles for their brand to succeed globally.
The couple, who now reside in Glasgow, understand the need for evolution and are taking steps to ensure that their brand advances. They are aware of the rising popularity of the royal family and know that they can’t continue as they have been.