A recent Vanity Fair exposé critically examines the post-royal business endeavors and personal challenges of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The article, published on a recent Friday, details a series of mishandled ventures and personal allegations against Meghan Markle, contributing to the couple's contentious public profile, according to the New York Post.
After their highly publicized exit from royal duties, Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito, California, where they purchased a lavish $14 million mansion. They intended the move as a fresh start, distancing themselves from the stringent protocols and media scrutiny tied to royal life in the UK.
In their transition to financial independence, the Sussexes launched various entrepreneurial and creative ventures, including media production and lifestyle branding. However, they have faced significant difficulties in establishing a foothold in these areas.
Their partnership with Spotify for the "Archetypes" podcast is among their most notable struggles. The project initially floundered due to a lack of clear direction and difficulty securing engaging guests, frustrating the production team.
One former employee associated with the podcast took leave and eventually resigned after producing just three episodes, highlighting pronounced issues within the working environment. This event underscores the operational challenges that have marked the Sussexes' foray into digital content creation.
A Vanity Fair insider criticized the Sussexes’ approach to the podcast, noting a significant disparity between their ambitions and practical execution: "They wanted a big theme that would explain the world, but they had no ideas."
Multiple sources have accused Meghan of displaying difficult behavior, further complicating their professional landscape. These allegations range from subtle instances of bullying to overt manipulation.
Descriptions of Meghan's interactions with staff depict a fraught atmosphere. One source stated, "It’s talking behind your back. It’s gnawing at your sense of self," illustrating the type of indirect bullying tactics allegedly employed by Meghan. The same source elaborated on the toxic office dynamics, where the pressure was palpable even in the absence of confrontations: "You can be yelled at even if somebody doesn’t raise their voice."
The critical portrayal extends beyond staffers to Meghan's strategic interactions. An insider likened Meghan's manner to playing a tactical game: "She’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board."
Discussions about a potential book centering on Meghan's life after a hypothetical divorce from Harry have further stirred controversy, though she has not formally submitted a proposal to publishers. She intended this discussion to explore her narrative and future scenarios, signaling a proactive approach to managing her public persona.
Meghan has sparked discontent among Montecito neighbors with her efforts to launch a lifestyle brand named American Riviera Orchard. Critics view the brand, which aims to capitalize on the idyllic quality and exclusivity of its residential location, as opportunistic.
A resident disparaged Meghan's branding initiatives, summarizing them as barefaced commercialization: "It’s such a kind of hucksterism. It’s just finding every way she can to monetize something." This sentiment is echoed by another neighbor who labeled the couple as "the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet."
In light of their move from the UK, designed to escape the relentless British press, the irony of their continuous efforts to remain in the U.S. media spotlight is not lost on observers and locals alike. A resident noted, "They moved away from England to get away from the scrutiny of the press, and all they do is try and get in the press in the United States."
These business setbacks and personal criticisms accumulate to paint a complex picture of Harry and Meghan's life after royal duties—a saga of ambition, struggle, and controversy as they attempt to redefine their public and professional identities.
