As speculation mounts about the state of their relationship, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear to be focusing on separate professional ventures, sparking rumors of a "professional separation" between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The couple, once inseparable in their public appearances, now seem to be taking distinct paths, with each reportedly aiming to solidify their individual brands. This shift has led to claims from royal experts that a competitive dynamic may be emerging between the two.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Women's Day that the couple's recent solo pursuits could be part of an internal rivalry. "I think professionally, she's trying to upstage him, he's trying to upstage her, so it goes from bad to worse," Schofield remarked, underscoring what she perceives as tension between the two. The notion of competition has gained traction as both Harry and Meghan have embarked on independent projects in recent months, stepping away from their previous joint ventures.
In the early days after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, the couple worked closely together on several high-profile initiatives, including their multi-million dollar Netflix deal and the establishment of their charitable foundation, Archewell. However, more recently, their public appearances have been increasingly independent. Harry, for instance, has been seen attending events such as the WellChild Awards in London without Meghan, while she was notably absent during his travels to New York and Lesotho.
Royal experts have noticed the evolving dynamic between the couple. Richard Eden, a royal editor, pointed to their podcast's early days, saying that "when they recorded their first podcast, it was very much them together." However, he noted that "whether it's Meghan or Harry, they've decided that's not the way to go anymore."
For Prince Harry, his focus has remained on the philanthropic causes that defined his time as a working royal. His involvement with organizations like Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in Lesotho to support children affected by HIV/AIDS, and his patronage of WellChild continue to be central to his public work. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that Harry has "gone back to basics" by focusing on what worked best during his royal years. "His most successful projects are the ones set up when he was still a working royal," Fitzwilliams added, referencing the Invictus Games and his work with WellChild as examples.
In contrast, Meghan Markle appears to be building her own path in the United States. She recently attended the LA Children's Hospital gala, where she stunned in a red gown, drawing attention to her growing presence in Hollywood. Meghan is also reportedly working on launching her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, although sources suggest the project has encountered some roadblocks, including difficulties in securing a CEO and financial discrepancies. Despite these setbacks, she is pushing forward with plans that include a Netflix cooking show focused on friendship and lifestyle content, separate from her husband's endeavors.
Speculation about the couple's relationship intensified after reports surfaced that Harry celebrated his 40th birthday on a hiking trip with friends, without Meghan. Some royal watchers viewed Harry's decision to undertake solo travels to Africa and attend events in New York as a strategic move to rebrand himself as a humanitarian, independent of Meghan's Hollywood-centric projects. Royal commentator Charlotte Griffiths told GB News that Harry's recent activities were likely a deliberate choice. "It's amazing she wasn't there [in Lesotho]. But I think it's very deliberate. Harry wants to remind us all of the good work he was doing before Megxit."
Despite the rumors of separation, sources close to the couple insist that they remain strong as a family. A Sussex confidante told TMZ that "it is normal for couples not to do everything together," pushing back against claims of any deeper issues. Meghan has reportedly been a pillar of support for Harry during these professional shifts, and friends close to the couple note that they are navigating this new chapter of their lives with their young children in mind.
The couple's recent decisions to work on separate ventures have raised questions about their long-term strategy as a brand. PR expert Mark Borkowski told Best magazine that Harry seems to be "going back to basics," while acknowledging that the Sussexes' "star power" may not have yielded the success they initially hoped for. He emphasized that their separate approaches could be an attempt to recalibrate their public image and expand their influence in different arenas.
