Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are said to be aware that rebuilding their relationship with the Royal Family may be essential for their future. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020, reportedly understand that maintaining a connection with King Charles is both personally and strategically important.
A source told Page Six, “They need the Royal Family. Meghan is aware of that.” The insider added, “Meghan knows that Harry won’t be returning to royal duties, but on a human, personal level, [she wants for him to be] able to get on good terms with his father.”
The report comes as speculation grows that Meghan is facing setbacks with her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Launched earlier this year, the brand was expected to showcase luxury home goods, preserves, and wine, but early performance has reportedly fallen short of expectations.
According to a friend who spoke to the Daily Mail, Meghan has been feeling uncertain about the project’s direction. “At the moment, she is literally lost because the whole jam-making business did not work out in the way she thought it would,” the source said.
“Nobody has seen any figures, but I don’t think they are that good. I know they just released a Sauvignon Blanc, but it’s not going to make her lots of money because Netflix owns the business,” they added. The Duchess’s attempt to establish a lifestyle empire was widely seen as part of her and Harry’s post-royal reinvention, following lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify.
However, the couple’s partnership with Spotify ended in 2023 after one season of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast, and reports have since suggested that they are reassessing their business ventures. Meanwhile, relations between Harry and the Royal Family remain strained. Though he visited the United Kingdom briefly earlier this year, there were no public meetings with King Charles or Prince William.
Insiders say Meghan now recognizes that healing those divisions could be important for both Harry’s peace of mind and their public image. While neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly commented on the claims, the couple continues to balance life in California with occasional public appearances focused on their charitable foundation, Archewell.
Whether renewed ties with the monarchy will materialize remains to be seen, but those close to the Sussexes suggest that reconciliation—and a more grounded future—may now be on Meghan’s mind.