Meghan Markle rose to fame as an actress before becoming a royal. The former Suits star married Prince Harry in 2020. However, as widely known, the couple has since stepped back from royal duties and left their life in the UK behind. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced intense criticism due to allegations they’ve made against the Royal Family. Now, they’re building a more private life in the US.
Both Harry and Meghan have pursued new ventures. Most recently, Meghan launched her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchid, while Harry has embarked on solo trips abroad. Rumors about potential issues in their marriage have also surfaced.
Over the years, Meghan has lost both friends and supporters, primarily due to the controversies surrounding her royal exit. Earlier this week, royal expert and former friend of Princess Diana, Tina Brown, made sharp remarks about Meghan. Unfortunately, more criticism has followed, as another royal commentator has now claimed Meghan is responsible for her own challenges.
Struggles and rumors about the Sussexes’ marriage
Settling into life in the US has not been without its challenges for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While they live in an impressive home and raise their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, their public image has taken several hits.
Recently, rumors about their marriage have gained traction, fueled by their separate public appearances. According to a source for GB News, Meghan is reportedly distressed by the ongoing speculation. “She has really felt the strain in recent weeks, and with all the speculation surrounding her and Harry and their marriage,” the insider said.
“They haven’t done themselves any favours by doing so many separate events, but this is what they have decided to do as it works best for them at the moment as a couple. They both feel they can shine at events that are close to their hearts.”
The source added that Meghan feels disheartened by the comparisons between her and Harry. “It does upset her that, while Harry was getting praised for all of his appearances, she is getting criticised for what she says, what she wears, etc., and it brings back hurtful memories of when she was a royal.”
Public perception and their brand as a couple
Although Harry and Meghan have faced criticism over their separate public engagements, PR expert Ed Coram James suggested this might be a strategic move. Speaking to The Mirror, he explained that while the Sussexes’ brand has been effective in the past, the fallout from their Oprah interview marked a turning point.
“Their brand has become more toxic and commercially untenable,” Coram James stated. He attributed this to their ongoing disputes with the Royal Family and Meghan’s family, combined with failed commercial projects. “This is because the ongoing confrontation… has made them appear confrontational and combative… their string of commercial projects that haven’t worked out… have led to a sense that they aren’t the best producers.”
Coram James added that their public relations issues have led to a perception of them as “spoiled, arrogant, immature, attention-seeking, aggressive, fight-picking, hypocritical, and incompetent.” However, he argued they might still salvage their reputations by pursuing independent brands. “When separate, they have a genuine chance of creating an entirely separate brand, with completely different labels.”
Meghan’s new business and harsh criticism
Meghan’s latest endeavor, her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchid, aims to sell home goods, cookbooks, and specialty food items. Despite her ambitious plans, not everyone believes she will succeed.
Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles and The Palace Papers, recently voiced her thoughts on Meghan and Harry’s post-royal careers during an appearance on The Ankler podcast.
“In England, they’re going to constantly make a career out of trashing Harry. But actually, the thing about Harry is he’s very good at being Prince Harry,” Brown said. “That’s the tragedy of all of this, is that he is the most talented member of the Royal Family, without doubt, in terms of being a prince, which is all he does know how to do… he’s really sort of flawless at it.”
Brown also criticized Meghan, saying, “The trouble with Meghan is that she has the worst judgment of anyone in the entire world. She’s flawless about getting it all wrong… She really is.”
Brown did not hold back, adding: “She’s a perfectionist about getting it all wrong… Her issue is that she doesn’t listen… She does what she wants to do. And all of her ideas are total crap, unfortunately.”
The fallout and future possibilities
Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan’s actions have led to strained family ties. For instance, King Charles evicted them from Frogmore Cottage shortly after Harry released his memoir, Spare. Meanwhile, Prince William reportedly has no plans to reconcile with Harry.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers also noted Meghan’s pattern of losing supporters, stating, “It does seem to me that she wasn’t particularly committed to being a member of the Royal Family.” He added that her global profile rose after marrying Harry, but she may have misunderstood the full responsibilities of royal life.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Meghan’s personal diary from her time as a senior royal might hold the potential for future revelations. During an interview with The Cut in 2023, Meghan mentioned rediscovering her journal at Frogmore Cottage. According to royal expert Jennie Bond, the diary could serve as “a potential weapon in her back pocket” if Meghan decides to release a memoir.
For now, Bond believes Meghan is focused on moving forward, stating, “She has behaved with discretion and dignity ever since Oprah and the documentary series… I think she is looking forwards, not backwards, and is moving on with her life.”