Some experts believe that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might have gone too far in using their royal titles to build their brand, and now there’s “zero chance” they can win back King Charles’ favor.
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are certainly benefiting from the “Sussex” name, it’s reported that even if Harry were to apologize to his father, “the best he could hope for would be crumbs from the royal table.”
Building Their Own Empire
Since stepping down from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan have been busy building their own empire. Living in Santa Barbara, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, the couple signed a multi-year deal with Netflix and an agreement with Spotify through their company, Archewell Audio.
Although their deal with Spotify ended in June 2024, Netflix quickly took it over. A source revealed, “They’re working on a movie, a scripted series, plus a few unscripted shows.”
Beyond their media projects, Meghan has also launched a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard. She teased the brand on Instagram in the spring, and it has quickly grown from selling fruit spreads and tableware to offering fragrances, body care products, and even gardening tools.
Leveraging Royal Ties
Celebrity branding expert Doug Eldridge told Fox News Digital that Harry and Meghan’s success largely depends on their royal titles. “If recent history is any indication, they’re not just likely to do so; their success is almost dependent on them doing so,” Eldridge said, noting that everything the couple has done after leaving the royal family has been based on their royal connections.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich agrees, saying that the couple might not have realized that the success of any product depends on its unique selling point (USP). “If it weren’t for his family, what would Harry’s unique selling point be?” Fordwich asked.
She added that any fame, respect, or social acceptance they enjoy is tied to their royal heritage. “He wanted neither but all of the former?” she questioned.
Walking a Fine Line
Commentators caution that if Harry and Meghan wish to mend their relationship with the royal family, they need to be careful about how they use their titles to make money. Royal writer Russell Myers told Sky News Australia that the couple can’t continue to profit from their royal connections if they want to be accepted back into the royal fold.
“They can’t make money from their associations with the royal family,” Myers explained. “If they want a relationship with the rest of the royal family, they can’t keep trashing them.”
Myers also hopes the couple realizes that the royal family remains united without them. If Harry and Meghan truly want to reconcile, they need to “take the steam out of their relationship and out of the things they say sometimes.”
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” believes it’s too late for a royal reunion. “There is really no foreseeable way in which they’ll ever be welcomed back,” he said.
Even if Harry were to beg for forgiveness, “the best he could hope for would be crumbs from the royal table,” similar to the strained acceptance given to Prince Andrew.
Andersen suggests that Harry and Meghan should focus on their “California-centric celebrity” rather than “overtly capitalizing on the Sussex name and Windsor connection.” But even then, he warns, “there would still be acrimony, and zero chance of Harry getting back into the king’s and William’s good graces.”
Can They Keep Up the Shine?
Eldridge believes the couple’s drive to profit from their royal status will continue. “Can they be prevented from exploiting their former/current royal status? Probably not,” he said.
He noted that while Harry was once beloved worldwide, Meghan’s popularity was more limited to a specific segment of American TV viewers. Although she gained fame after their 2018 wedding, she has since faced significant public relations challenges.
“Taylor Swift is the only person on earth who can make billions of dollars presenting the same story about a ‘girl done wrong’ to new audiences with open wallets,” Eldridge said. “Meghan lacks the shine.”
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