Since stepping back from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family in March 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have launched a series of independent business and media projects.
While achieving certain successes while operating independently outside of the monarchy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also faced numerous failures. From losing a contract worth tens of millions of dollars with Spotify in 2023 to troubles surrounding Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever in 2025, their business journey has encountered constant obstacles, Page Six reported on March 6.
Recently, following news that Netflix terminated its partnership with Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever, the Sussexes must once again find a new direction after successive business projects failed to achieve expected results.
Below are the most notable business failures of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry since leaving the royal family.
2021: Children’s Book Fails to Reach Expected Success
One of Meghan Markle’s early disappointing business ventures after leaving the royal family was a children’s book titled The Bench, released in June 2021.
The picture book tells of the special relationship between a father and son from a mother’s perspective. The content was developed from a poem Meghan Markle wrote for Harry for Father’s Day after their son, Archie, was born in May 2019.
However, The Bench failed to break into the top 50 rankings in the UK during its debut week. Although the book later rose to the 100th position on Amazon’s bestseller list in the U.S., long-term sales were still considered unfavorable, especially since Meghan Markle received an advance of nearly $700,000 for the project.
2023: Podcast Contract with Spotify Collapses
In December 2020, Harry and Meghan Markle signed a $20 million contract with Spotify through their content production company, Archewell Audio.
However, by June 2023, both parties suddenly announced a mutual agreement to terminate the partnership. This decision was made after Meghan Markle’s podcast Archetypes was not renewed for a second season.
According to one source, the Sussexes only released 13 podcast episodes, which was insufficient content to receive the full $20 million payment under the contract.
After the deal collapsed, Bill Simmons—a Spotify executive—sharply criticized Harry and Meghan Markle, calling them “grifters.”
Meanwhile, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek stated that the Archetypes program did not provide a compelling enough experience for listeners. He admitted that while some collaborative projects were successful, others did not meet expectations.
By February 2024, Meghan Markle signed a new podcast contract with the media company Lemonada Media, eight months after leaving Spotify.
2025: As Ever Brand Encounters Setbacks
In February 2025, Meghan Markle was forced to change the name of her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard to As Ever following a series of issues related to trademark registration.
Even after the name change, the project faced further legal troubles. Meghan Markle was alleged to have failed to sign the full trademark application records before submitting them to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Some documents also showed that the agency requested clarification on listed products such as spoons, jams, and preserved fruits.
Additionally, the application to sell clothing such as aprons under the As Ever brand was rejected because a Chinese garment company was already using the name ASEVER. Furthermore, a politician in Spain claimed that the As Ever logo was too similar to the coat of arms of the small village of Porreres on the island of Mallorca.
After resolving these legal issues, the brand’s products still faced criticism. The collection included home goods, kitchenware, high-end food, and jams produced by Meghan Markle.
According to a source from Page Six, Meghan Markle may have earned over $36 million from jam sales. However, jam expert Donna Collins criticized Meghan Markle’s apricot jam as being too runny and failing to reach the desired quality.
2025: Season 2 of ‘With Love, Meghan’ Disappoints
The second season of the lifestyle program With Love, Meghan on Netflix, released on August 26, 2025, failed to break into the platform’s top 10. Although the first season debuted in March 2025 with positive results, Season 2 reportedly had approximately 500,000 fewer views.
Furthermore, the program received many negative reviews from critics. Author Lucy Mangan of The Guardian called the show “boring and forced.” Meanwhile, The Times described Meghan Markle as “someone in need of money” after viewing Season 2.
This program was originally part of a $100 million contract that Harry and Meghan Markle signed with Netflix in 2020. However, by January 2026, a source stated that the show would not continue as a series, though there remains the possibility of seasonal holiday specials.
2025: Archewell Philanthropies Scales Back Operations
In December 2025, Harry and Meghan Markle’s charitable organization, Archewell Philanthropies, nearly ceased operations after several high-level staff members departed.
Executive Director James Holt resigned at the same time as a host of other key personnel, including Genevieve Roth, Christine Schirmer, Ashley Hansen, and Meredith Maines. One source stated that the organization’s headcount had decreased by 80–85% compared to the previous year.
Previously, the Sussexes were reported to have discussed cost-cutting measures and even considered transferring the organization to another entity amidst financial difficulties. According to reports, the organization spent $5.1 million on operations in 2024 while receiving only $2.1 million in donations.
2026: Netflix Projects Stagnate
In March 2026, multiple sources indicated that most of Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix projects remain in a state of “freeze.”
In 2023, their company Archewell Productions announced they would produce a film adaptation of the novel Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune. Netflix even spent approximately $3 million to acquire the rights. However, after three years, the project still lacks a director and a lead cast.
Another project, a film adaptation of the romantic novel The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory, is also reportedly in a state of prolonged stagnation.
Additionally, the couple’s documentary Cookie Queen, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, has not been acquired by any distributor or streaming platform, despite being offered to Netflix.
2026: Netflix Terminates Partnership with As Ever Brand
On March 6, 2026, Netflix officially terminated its partnership with Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever, just days after news surfaced that the program With Love, Meghan would not have a third season.
According to a source, the partnership was no longer appropriate once the related television program had stopped. However, a Netflix representative stated that the original plan was for Meghan Markle to develop the brand independently in the next phase.
Representatives for the As Ever brand also expressed gratitude for Netflix’s partnership during the launch phase and the first year of operation. The brand representative stated that the business had achieved rapid growth and was preparing to enter a new stage of development.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s conversation with Queen: Bombshell truth
The Queen was deepy hurt by Prince Harry’s attack
Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, have always been a source of concern for the royals, especially after the couple’s attempt to reveal royal secrets to the public after their exit from the royal life.
But the latest shocking details reveal that the Sussexes even failed to win over the trust of Queen Elizabeth II, who allegedly ‘feared’ they might have recorded secret conversations for their own projects.
The California-based couple caused the Queen great “distress” in her final years on the throne. A royal biographer has claimed that the late Queen became fearful the Sussexes were secretly recording her for their Netflix documentary.
The couple’s 2021 oprah interview worsened their relationship and broke the trust with the royal family.
Hugo Vickers, author of “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History”, claimed that certain members of the royal family were “sickened” by the timing of Harry and Meghan’s Oprah broadcast, which aired merely six days after Prince Philip underwent heart surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.
The Palace said the allegations were “very troubling” and vowed to take them “very seriously,” Vickers claims it left the Queen “deeply hurt by her grandson’s attacks,” and led her to become “distrustful of Harry”.
The trust is said to have fallen so significantly, according to the biography, the Queen reportedly “refused to answer his phone calls unless there was a witness who could record what was said”.
“The distress the Sussexes caused the Queen in the last years of her life cannot be overestimated,” the author adds in the book.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Vickers elaborated on the late monarch’s anxieties, suggesting she also grew wary of in-person encounters with the Archie and Lilibet’s parents over fears their discussions might be recorded.
“Trust had been broken, basically,” he told the paper. “So I think, as far as having somebody in the room, it was … to stop them taking photographs or being wired or God knows what.”
In 2022, the duke and duchess released a Netflix docuseries billed as an insight into the couple’s life that “even the most plugged-in fans and followers of their story have never heard it told”.
The couple have previously denied accusations of leaking information from private family gatherings.
The book, released earlier this week, also suggests the Queen advised Harry against rushing into marrying Meghan and waiting a year, advice he did not take.
“A person close to the Queen told me that her attitude about the wedding in general was this: ‘Go ahead. It doesn’t affect me’,” Vickers claims.
American host takes aim at Meghan Markle for ‘castle’ claims
Meghan Markle mocked for her claims about royal life
An American comedian took a brutal dig at Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle for her alleged claims about life in the royal Palace.
Tim Dillon made fun of Meghan’s post-royal reinvention, arguing King Charles’ daughter-in-law fell short of building the kind of lifestyle empire she appeared to be chasing.
He also explained why he believes the former Suits star ‘found a way to be a victim while living in a castle.’
The star weighed in on what Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s mother’s next act may be during a recent podcast appearance.
David Spade brought up the Duchess of Sussex’s past success on “Suits” and wondered why she didn’t revive her role in “Suits LA” and make “big money” after stepping back from her job as a working royal.
“I think Meghan will eventually find her way into some type of talk show,” Dillon said on the “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade” podcast.
The comedian went on: “Because she’s failed at the Martha Stewart route, which she wanted. She was slinging jam in Target. She wanted to have a lifestyle brand.”
“Jam was an interesting choice,” Spade added. “It’s probably an uncrowded market. Other than Welch’s, I can’t think of too many.”
The famous entertainer also predicted the Duchess’ future, saying, “I could also see her going back to the UK and saying, ‘Let’s give it another go.”
Dillon also urged Meghan to adjust her strategy.
Carvey added, “I think they do have to go back and stir the brand again.”
But the critique didn’t end with her lifestyle push. Dillon argued her overall approach alienated some viewers.
“I think we’re all a little tired of her shtick here. I don’t think it worked as well as she thought it would,” he said.
He showed no mercy to the 44-year-old Duchess, adding: “I think her idea was to come back to America and say, ‘Listen, the British are really racist.”
He continued: “But they do know a lot about dinner parties, and I’ve learned that. So I’m here to tell you how to live like a human being and what fork to use. You pig, you American pig.’ And I think that it felt a little condescending.’
Meghan Markle Following Netflix Fallout
Meghan Markle made a surprise visit to a children’s hospital just one week after Netflix terminated its partnership with her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
According to Page Six, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles documented Meghan Markle’s visit on Instagram, sharing photos of the Duchess of Sussex spending time talking and interacting with many pediatric patients there.
Meghan Markle Paints with Pediatric Patients
In the photos, Meghan Markle is seen wearing a black face mask while sitting next to a child. In another moment, she shows a pediatric patient a drawing of a Hello Kitty character. The mother of two also participated in a painting session with the young patients and hospital staff.
“We were honored to welcome Meghan Markle to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles today. She spent time painting with our pediatric patients.
These special moments remind us how powerful creativity is in bringing joy, connection, and the healing process,” the hospital wrote on Instagram.
The hospital stated that Meghan Markle’s visit was part of Make March Matter, a month-long fundraising campaign aimed at supporting medical care, research, and innovation at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Meghan Markle previously visited this hospital in 2024 and participated in the Literally Healing reading program, an initiative that gifts more than 65,000 books annually to families with children receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Last week, Page Six exclusively reported that Netflix had terminated its partnership with the brand As Ever.
“The launch of her show did not happen, so continuing the partnership with Netflix no longer made sense,” an industry source told Page Six, referring to the series With Love, Meghan.
A Netflix spokesperson stated: “Meghan Markle’s passion for elevating everyday moments in a beautiful yet simple way inspired the birth of the As Ever brand. We are pleased to have played a part in realizing that vision.”
A representative for As Ever told Page Six that the company is now ready to stand independently and that a promising year lies ahead.
Following the fallout with Netflix, Meghan Markle is expected to host a luxury event for women in Australia in April, which is drawing criticism due to its very high price point. Those wishing to experience the VIP package must pay $2,288, while the cheapest tickets are priced at $1,930.
This retreat will take place during Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s upcoming tour of Australia. They will participate in various private, business, and charitable activities.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle hit with unexpected petition in Australia
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex receive heartbreaking update from Australia
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle have received a heartbreaking update from Australia ahead of their visit.
The Montecito-based couple have faced new allegations that Australian taxpayers will fund some of thier upcoming tour, despite their team insisting otherwise.
Representatives of the Sussexes previously dismissed the claims after thousands of Aussies signed a petition last month demanding no public money be spent on the forthcoming tour.
Harry and Meghan’s spokesman claimed: “The trip is being funded privately, so I’m not sure what this petition hopes to achieve.”
However, police in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) have now confirmed they will provide security operations in the region for the private tour, according to the Sunday Morning Herald.
“The New South Wales Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” an NSW force spokesman said.
“The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said: “Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety.”
The “No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry & Meghan’s Private Visit to Australia” campaign was launched by advocacy group Beyond Australia through website Change.org. More than 43,000 have now signed the petition.
When learning of the added police presence at the taxpayers’ expense, they wrote on their petition page: “This directly contradicts those assurances and raises serious concerns about transparency and the use of public resources.
“Australians are entitled to question this. How does taking photos at a publicly advertised, ticketed event constitute a security threat?”
“This appears to be a narrative fed to the media to elevate perceived risk, now being used to justify taxpayer-funded police and security.”
Harry and Meghan previously travelled Down Under in 2018 as working members of the royal family, just months after their wedding at Windsor Castle. At the time, they received 24-hour police protection from the UK, with assistance from the Australian Federal Police.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Australia tour IS being funded in part by taxpayers
The team of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, had yesterday insisted their upcoming trip to Australia was not being funded by taxpayers
Police have today quashed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s claims their Australia tour is being funded wholly by themselves.
New information actually suggests taxpayers in the nation are, in part, paying for the trip, a statement which contrasts with the word of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s PR guru yesterday. A spokesperson for a constabulary said: “The New South Wales (NSW) Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.”
While NSW Police typically provide standard services free of charge, events requiring increased security may involve a formal agreement for organizers to cover the additional costs. In the case of Harry and Meghan’s visit, no such arrangement has been made, meaning the extra security expenses will be absorbed by the police budget.
A Victoria Police spokesman also addressed this and said: “Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety. Victoria Police does not provide comment on specific operational arrangements.”
The statements clash with the claims made by Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ new PR boss, who insisted the trip this month isn’t “a publicity tour”. He added: “The programme is rooted in long-standing areas of work for the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying organisations delivering measurable impact. The visit prioritises listening, learning and supporting communities rather than promotion.”
More than 43,000 people have signed a petition to voice their anger at the idea of public cash being spent on any parts of the Sussexes’ trip because they say, as the couple are no longer working royals, they cannot demand such privileges. An advocacy group called Beyond Australia started the campaign on Change.org, on which it states: “This directly contradicts those assurances and raises serious concerns about transparency and the use of public resources.”
King Charles won’t anger Queen Camilla for Meghan, Harry?
All eyes are on Queen Camilla as Prince Harry speeds up efforts to reconcile with King Charles
All eyes are on Queen Camilla and Prince William as Prince Harry has accelerated his efforts to make peace with his royal relatives before his 2027 Invictus Games.
The monarch, 77, has reportedly handed all powers to his Camilla and William to deal with Harry’s crisis, as he does not want to anger his beloved wife and eldest son, who have lost trust in Harry and are reluctant to bring him back into the royal fold.
Meghan Markle is said to be pushing her husband Harry to win over Britons ahead of their UK visit with Archie and Lilibet.
However, an insider has claimed: “Camilla and William can not be bypassed by the monarch.
“The royal family might also not embrace the Sussexes warmly until Camilla and William forgive them.”
The insider went on, “Queen Camilla is said to be preparing for confrontation if the monarch bypasses her to embrace Harry and his family back into the royal fold.”
Harry fears that Camilla is the only hurdle in his way to the Palace as he already expressed his concerns about the Queen.
Meghan is also said to be convinced that William and Camilla will never let them return to the Firm.
Palace insiders said Queen Camilla feels emboldened by King Charles’ assurances while William remains next in line to the throne.
Camilla is running rampant through the palace after her cancer-stricken husband’s assurances that her standing will remain solid – even if he passes away and Prince William, 43, ascends to the throne while she’s still alive.
Meghan and Harry’s exit from the palace didn’t bother Camilla as much as Harry’s scathing tell-all, Spare, which painted the current queen as a backbiting bully who planted stories in the press to tear down the Sussexes and shine her own star.
The Duke’s memoir ‘Spare’ angered Queen Camilla more than the Sussexes’ departure from royal duties.
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