Meghan Markle’s Brand Battles and Prince Harry’s Growing Frustration

For years, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have tried to build a new life outside the walls of Buckingham Palace. Since stepping down as senior working royals in 2020, the couple has pursued independence in the United States, signing multimillion-dollar deals, launching charitable foundations, and entering the competitive world of media and business. Yet despite high hopes and enormous visibility, the journey has been far from smooth.

Now, industry insiders say that Meghan’s attempts to establish her personal brand have encountered repeated obstacles, leaving Prince Harry increasingly frustrated. While the couple remains united in public, reports suggest that behind the scenes, Harry is struggling with the mounting pressure and uneven results of their post-royal ventures.

From Royal Spotlight to Hollywood Realities

When Meghan and Harry announced their exit from the royal family—often dubbed “Megxit”—the decision was framed as a bid for financial and personal freedom. The couple quickly secured lucrative partnerships, including a reported $100 million deal with Netflix and a $20 million agreement with Spotify.

At the time, these contracts were hailed as proof of their market power. But as the years passed, the results have been mixed. Spotify cut ties with the couple in 2023 after Meghan’s podcast, Archetypes, ended after one season. Netflix has maintained its partnership, producing the high-profile docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022, but subsequent projects have not matched that level of attention.

Meanwhile, Meghan’s efforts to launch her own lifestyle brand—often compared to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop—have been closely watched. She has teased projects ranging from cookbooks to wellness products, but progress has been slower than anticipated. For critics, this reflects the difficulty of translating celebrity status into a sustainable brand.

Meghan’s New Brand Identity

In early 2024, Meghan unveiled her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. The launch, promoted through a polished Instagram debut, included jars of jam sent to select friends and influencers. While the campaign generated buzz, it also drew skepticism. Some observers questioned whether the brand offered anything unique in a crowded market already saturated with celebrity-backed wellness and food products.

Nonetheless, Meghan appears determined to carve out a niche. Supporters say her brand reflects her personal values—family, wellness, and sustainability—and is positioned for long-term growth rather than quick wins.

Harry’s Growing Tensions

While Meghan pursues brand-building, Harry has focused on projects tied more closely to his personal journey, including his memoir Spare, released in 2023, and ongoing work with the Invictus Games. Spare was a global bestseller, offering candid insights into his struggles with grief, his strained relationship with the royal family, and his decision to step away from royal duties.

Yet despite the memoir’s commercial success, it also intensified public debate. Critics accused Harry of oversharing, while supporters praised his honesty. For Meghan, the fallout added more scrutiny to their already polarizing public image.

Sources close to the couple have hinted that Harry sometimes feels overshadowed by Meghan’s ambitious branding efforts. While he supports her endeavors, he reportedly struggles with the relentless media focus on their personal lives and the pressure to deliver results from their multimillion-dollar deals.

Public Perception and Media Scrutiny

One of the greatest challenges for the Sussexes has been navigating public perception. In the UK, polls often show skepticism toward the couple, with many Britons expressing frustration at their criticism of the monarchy while continuing to capitalize on royal connections. In the US, however, opinions are more divided, with some audiences embracing Meghan as a strong, independent figure and others dismissing her as overexposed.

The couple’s reliance on high-profile media projects has also made them vulnerable to criticism. Each new venture—from podcasts to documentaries—is scrutinized not just for content but for what it says about their long-term strategy. As one commentator put it, “They left the monarchy to control their narrative, but they now live in a media machine that demands constant reinvention.”

The Stakes for Meghan’s Brand

Meghan’s personal brand is more than just a business; it is central to the couple’s financial independence. Success would solidify her identity beyond the royal label, proving she can stand alongside figures like Paltrow or Jessica Alba in the lifestyle market. Failure, however, could reinforce critics’ claims that the couple relies more on their royal titles than their entrepreneurial skill.

Insiders suggest this is where some of Harry’s frustrations lie. He is deeply protective of Meghan but reportedly wary of how repeated setbacks might damage not only her image but their shared reputation. For a couple determined to build a life defined by independence, brand credibility is everything.

Looking Ahead

Despite setbacks, Meghan and Harry remain among the most famous couples in the world. Their ability to draw headlines, sell books, and command public attention is undeniable. What remains uncertain is whether they can transform that attention into sustainable success.

Meghan’s brand relaunch is expected to expand into new product lines over the coming months, with experts predicting everything from homeware to wellness retreats. Meanwhile, Harry continues his charitable commitments, including mental health advocacy and veteran support.

For all the tension reported behind the scenes, those close to the couple emphasize that they remain committed to each other and to building a meaningful legacy. Whether their ventures ultimately thrive or falter, the story of Meghan and Harry is far from over.

Conclusion

Meghan Markle’s branding journey has been anything but straightforward. From the collapse of her Spotify deal to the cautious rollout of American Riviera Orchard, she faces the same challenges as any entrepreneur—magnified by global attention and royal connections. Prince Harry, meanwhile, wrestles with the personal toll of their high-profile life while striving to support his wife’s ambitions.

Their story reflects both the promise and the pitfalls of redefining oneself in the public eye. For now, Meghan’s brand represents more than a business—it is a test of whether the Sussexes can truly build the independent future they envisioned when they left royal life behind.