Is Prince Harry 'drowning' amid royal fallout and a failing brand under the influence of 'diva wife' Meghan?

Economic Times

a day ago

Synopsis
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing growing cracks in both their public image and professional ventures. Amid family estrangement, business restructuring, and Hollywood's waning interest, their once-celebrated stardom appears to be fading. A recent report suggests Harry feels isolated in the U.S., struggling with regret, embarrassment, and a desperate wish for reconciliation with the royal family.
ET Online From court battles to a troubled media brand, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are confronting mounting challenges. As staff exits and media backlash grow, insiders say Harry feels 'marooned' and overwhelmed. Prince Harry recently offered a striking confession that seemed to echo both exhaustion and defeat: 'There's no point in continuing to fight anymore, life is precious.' While he spoke about his fractured ties with the royal family, those close to the Duke suggest his fatigue runs far deeper—extending beyond personal pain and into the uncertain future of the Sussex brand itself. According to a report by Radar Online, Harry and Meghan Markle are in the midst of a behind-the-scenes crisis. Their once-explosive fame, born of royal defiance and global curiosity, appears to be losing its spark amid growing public disinterest, cooling industry connections, and a string of professional missteps.
The couple's attempt to restructure their business ventures is underway, but not without casualties. In recent weeks, they have parted ways with multiple team members, including deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson. This upheaval comes at a time when the couple is scrambling to reposition themselves with a new communications agency, Method Communications, offering global reach and faster international media coordination. Their new Chief Communications Officer, Meredith Maines, framed the transition as strategic, aimed at "faster response times to inquiries" and deeper media access. Additionally, the Sussexes brought on Emily Robinson—formerly with Netflix's The Crown—to head their communications team, a move suggesting they're leaning into their Hollywood presence as royal replacements. Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large at Mail on Sunday, told GB News that the couple is essentially reshaping their operation to mimic a royal household. 'As part of the restructure, a few heads had to roll,' she remarked. 'It's not that people walked out—the couple have been cutting the wheat from the chaff.'
While Meghan appears to be pouring energy into her entrepreneurial ambitions, Harry's recent media appearances reveal a man grappling with displacement. Speaking to the BBC's Nada Tawfik, he bluntly admitted: 'There's no way back to the UK with [my] family,' describing the fallout from his court battle over royal security as 'an establishment stitch-up.' The strain is particularly personal when it comes to his father, King Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. 'I don't know how much longer my father has,' Harry said. 'He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.' A Buckingham Palace spokesperson responded firmly, stating: 'All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.' Despite a brief meeting between father and son earlier in 2024, meaningful reconciliation seems far off. Insiders say Harry feels adrift. 'He's marooned in America and drowning in everything,' a source told Radar Online. 'Not only is his family in tatters thanks to him, his brand and 'business' is in the hands of his diva wife… Everything to him now just feels alien, work and frankly just embarrassing.'
While Markle has seen moments of success—her lifestyle brand As Ever sold out its first collection of raspberry jam, herbal tea, and flower sprinkles—much of her media push has received lukewarm reception. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan drew mixed reviews but decent viewership, while her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, now produced by Lemonada after Spotify dropped its $20 million deal, has faced online ridicule. Despite continued high-profile appearances, the magic that once surrounded the couple appears to be wearing off. Stacy Jones, founder of Hollywood Branded, commented to Radar Online: 'Harry and Meghan's clout has taken a hit over the past year. They're not going to struggle to get a table at a top restaurant, and their presence will always generate buzz at events, but Hollywood's excitement about them has cooled compared to their early days.' Their ongoing estrangement from the royal family only adds to the complexity. 'They're aware of everything going on in England,' a source said, 'but are left out of every detail of royal life, even updates on the King's health. It breaks Harry's heart.' While Harry has acknowledged that his 2023 memoir Spare may have widened the rift between him and his family, he insists his aim now is to move forward. Yet, with personal ties frayed, a brand in flux, and a spotlight that no longer flatters, the question lingers—was trading the institution for independence worth the cost?
( Originally published on Jul 05, 2025 )