Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s professional separation ‘due to lack of recognition’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are continuing to chart separate professional paths, with the Duchess of Sussex’s latest Netflix venture marking a notable shift in their business strategy.
The couple, who relocated to California after stepping down as senior royals in 2020, had initially pursued joint ventures including a production company and a charitable foundation.
However, Meghan’s new solo Netflix series continues strategic moves toward individual projects.
One of the most interesting aspects of her upcoming show is that she appears without Harry, suggesting a deliberate separation of their professional interests.
This professional split indicates the couple’s intention to create two distinct income streams, marking a significant departure from their previous to become known as a power couple in the US.
Marketing experts suggest this professional separation could prove beneficial for both parties.
“They seem to have separated their brands,” explains Professor Pauline Maclaran from Royal Holloway, who specialises in marketing and consumer research.
The split appears to be driven by practical considerations about their public appeal.
“I think it’s likely to be much more successful because I think the two of them together weren’t really getting any strong recognition,” Maclaran notes.
This strategic shift also represents a move away from royal-focused content.
While the couple previously addressed monarchy-related matters, including their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and Harry’s book “Spare”, their new individual ventures appear to be charting different territory.
Maclaran stated the latest project notably “isn’t drawing on her royal connections” anymore.
Meghan’s new direction marks a return to familiar territory, drawing on her experience with The Tig, her former lifestyle blog.
Before joining the Royal Family, she regularly shared beauty, diet, fashion tips and lifestyle advice through the platform until its closure in 2017.
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PR experts suggest this pivot to lifestyle content could be strategically sound, however, some industry voices express scepticism about the move.
PR specialist Alex Silver questions the timing: “There are more interesting and significant world events that are happening, which she could be talking about.”
Silver suggests the venture is commercially motivated: “This is clearly all about her own commercial interests.”
Shed added: “They’re aware their income is going to dry up at some stage. Their lifestyles are quite lavish, they’re mixing in upmarket circles and they don’t want to be the poor relation.”