Many experts believe that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have pushed the limits in using their royal titles for personal gain, and there’s now “zero chance” of them winning back King Charles’ favor.
While Prince Harry and Meghan are making the most of their “Sussex” name, some say that even if Harry were to apologize to his father, “the best he could hope for would be crumbs from the royal table.”
Since stepping away from 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 has signed major deals with Netflix and Spotify through their Archewell Audio company.
Though their deal with Spotify ended in June 2024, Netflix quickly picked it up. A source mentioned, “They’re working on a movie, a scripted series, plus a few unscripted shows.”
Besides their media projects, Meghan has also launched a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard. Initially teased on Instagram, the brand quickly grew from selling fruit spreads and tableware to offering fragrances, body care products, and even gardening tools.
Capitalizing on Royal Ties
Doug Eldridge, a celebrity branding expert, told Fox News Digital that Harry and Meghan’s success heavily relies 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, pointing out that their post-royal ventures have all been based on their royal connections.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich agrees, suggesting that the couple might not have fully understood that the success of any product depends on its unique selling point (USP). She asks, “If it weren’t for his family, what would Harry’s unique selling point be?”
Fordwich adds that any fame, respect, or social acceptance they enjoy is tied to their royal heritage. “He wanted neither but all of the former?” she questions.
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.”
Will the Shine Fade?
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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