Meghan Markle’s focus on building her brand and making money is not only good for her but could also benefit Prince Harry, according to royal experts. As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to chart their post-royal path, experts suggest their financial independence is in “everyone’s interest”—including the Royal Family’s.
Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have been under constant public scrutiny for continuing to leverage their royal ties. Most recently, Meghan referred to herself as “Meghan Sussex” on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan during a conversation with guest Mindy Kaling.
She also made headlines after her appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, where host Jamie Kern Lima displayed a gift basket from the Duchess. The basket contained homemade strawberry sauce and ice cream, accompanied by a card signed, “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
This sparked criticism from royal commentator Charles Rae, who accused Meghan of using her royal connection to promote her personal ventures. “I’ve got no objections to Meghan and Harry making money,” Rae told The Sun. “None whatsoever. However, they want to operate now is fine. It’s their royal connections that really irritate me. And they’re piggybacking off of that a great deal.”
Rae didn’t hold back, adding, “But I think Meghan is the one who’s driving everything. And I think she will eventually come a cropper with all this. I mean, she says, ‘I don’t want to annoy the public’. Well, why not? She’s annoyed with everybody else. You know, I mean, you know, she’s… she’s a very annoying person in my view.”
However, royal expert Sarah Hewson offered a more balanced take. She emphasized the practicality of Meghan’s success, especially given the couple’s lifestyle and Prince Harry’s recent legal setbacks. “I think it is in everyone’s interest if she is able to make a success of this and make money off the back of this, because we know they’ve got a very expensive lifestyle, not least the security costs,” Hewson said.
She added, “It is in everyone’s interest, the Royal Family included, if they are able to be self-sufficient, if they’re able to build a life. Prince Harry can do his philanthropy. Meghan can launch the business. I mean, I think that suits everybody.” As public opinion remains divided, the Sussexes continue to navigate their unique place between royalty and celebrity, balancing scrutiny with ambition.