A public relations expert believes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix documentary drew massive attention because it offered a rare, inside look into their dramatic departure from the British royal family — a story that can only be told once.
Speaking with The Express, PR strategist Edward Coram-James explained that the global fascination surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 2022 docuseries stemmed largely from the unprecedented glimpse it provided into the couple’s decision to leave royal life behind.
Coram-James said the documentary’s success was fueled by a unique moment in time, when public curiosity about the royal rift was at its peak. He noted that this level of interest is difficult to sustain once the couple’s main story has already been told.
“The success of the Harry & Meghan doc was built on a finite resource: the public’s insatiable curiosity about their decision to leave the royal family and the drama surrounding it,” Coram-James said. “It was a one-time, explosive event.” He added, “They pulled back the curtain on the monarchy, and that is a story you can only tell once.”
The PR expert suggested this might explain why Meghan Markle’s recent lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, has not captured the same audience enthusiasm. Without the element of royal controversy or the emotional fallout of “Megxit,” viewers appear to have lost interest in the couple’s newer projects.
Coram-James noted that while the Sussexes remain high-profile public figures, maintaining audience engagement requires fresh narratives that go beyond their royal past. “Once that mystery is gone, the intrigue fades,” he said.
The Netflix documentary, released in December 2022, became one of the platform’s most-watched series that year, drawing both acclaim and criticism for its candid portrayal of life inside the monarchy. It chronicled Harry and Meghan’s courtship, their strained relationship with the royal institution, and their move to California after stepping down as senior royals.
By contrast, Meghan’s With Love, Meghan reportedly focuses on wellness, motherhood, and her personal passions — themes that, while authentic to her, have not generated the same level of public buzz. Experts believe that for Harry and Meghan to recapture global attention, they may need to pivot toward new topics that show growth, impact, or advocacy beyond royal drama.
Coram-James concluded that while their first documentary was “lightning in a bottle,” replicating that level of success will likely prove impossible.