Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing another harsh round of criticism over their post-royal future.
Royal biographer Tom Bower claims the Sussexes are now in “survival” mode after a string of business setbacks, financial pressure, and fading public interest. His argument is simple and brutal: Harry and Meghan no longer have the same pull they once did, unless they are talking about the royal family. “Now, I think that their whole operation, which is now poorly financed because they’re not earning real money anymore, is survival,” Bower said during an interview with royal commentator Kinsey Schofield.
Harry And Meghan’s Netflix Trouble Gets Fresh Scrutiny
Bower pointed to the couple’s Netflix situation as one of the biggest signs of trouble.
Their major deal with the streamer was reportedly downgraded to a first-look arrangement after several projects failed to create the kind of impact expected from two of the world’s most famous royal defectors.
Meghan’s lifestyle series ‘With Love, Meghan’ was reportedly canceled in January. Her As Ever brand also faced trouble after Netflix allegedly cut ties with it in March and returned remaining inventory, including jams, honey, tea, and other products.
For Bower, the business setbacks point to a much larger issue. He claimed the couple are now trying to prove they still matter. “They are desperate to make sure they don’t go under and find ways in which they can somehow prove still relevant,” he said.
Then came the sharper cut. “They’re not relevant, other than the potential damage they can do to the royal family in Britain.”
Australia Trip Reportedly Fell Flat
The Sussexes’ recent Australia trip also drew criticism.
Harry and Meghan reportedly failed to sell out paid speaking events in Melbourne and Sydney, which only fueled claims that their star power has weakened.
The trip included visits to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, a homeless shelter, and a veterans’ art museum. Those stops looked similar to the kind of public-facing work they once did as senior royals.
The comparison was hard to miss.
In 2018, their official Australia tour as newlyweds drew major public attention. This time, the reaction was reportedly far quieter. One moment drew especially harsh attention. The couple visited the Sydney Opera House, where metal barriers had reportedly been set up for crowds that never appeared.
Bower Says The Descent Is Now The Story
Bower suggested the Sussexes’ decline may now be more interesting to the public than their rise. “It’s fascinating to watch how they are slowly falling,” he said. “There’s no doubt the descent is much more interesting now than the ascent.” He added that Harry and Meghan still have “a long way to go before they completely self-destruct.”
Meghan’s latest As Ever move, a set of branded matches, has also faced ridicule online. Meanwhile, Harry’s 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham are reportedly dealing with sponsor issues, a board resignation, and fresh questions over spending tied to the 2025 Whistler Games.
For Harry and Meghan, the problem is no longer just bad press. The bigger question is whether they can still build something people want to follow without leaning on royal drama.
