Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly initiated a behind-the-scenes inquiry into why they are being marginalized by Hollywood's entertainment elite, following a series of high-profile snubs and negative reviews surrounding their media ventures. The development comes as the couple faces mounting challenges in their post-royal careers, including criticism of Markle's latest podcast and disillusionment over the lack of major industry recognition.
Sources close to the couple say they are "determined to identify those behind" what they perceive as an "orchestrated hate campaign" aimed at diminishing their reputation in both the U.S. and U.K. "The fact they didn't get an Emmy nod was a massive blow," one insider told RadarOnline.com, referencing the couple's 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, which drew 81.6 million viewing hours in its first four days but failed to secure an Emmy nomination.
While the six-part series earned a Critics Choice Award nomination, insiders say the absence from the Emmy shortlist was a symbolic setback. "Recognition in the Documentary or Nonfiction Series category would have validated their hard work," a media strategist told the outlet.
Markle is also facing backlash over her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, which debuted last week. The show received a two-star rating from The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Standard. Critics accused Markle of steering conversations toward her personal experiences, despite promoting the podcast as a platform to spotlight female entrepreneurship.
"The episode featured Markle sharing a 'huge medical scare' she experienced after childbirth," RadarOnline reported. Guest Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, also discussed her own struggles with postpartum preeclampsia. However, critic Chris Bennion described the podcast as "an inane stream of mindless aphorisms" lacking meaningful insights or genuine confessions.
Markle's efforts to reposition herself through her With Love, Meghan Netflix special and her lifestyle brand As Ever have met with mixed reception. Compounding her frustrations, sources say Markle feels unsupported by Prince Harry, who has reportedly taken a hands-off approach to promoting her latest projects.
"Nothing is going the way she wanted or expected," one insider told TheThings.com. "Clearly, the luster of Harry's title has worn off with the public and players in Hollywood. The doors are closing all around her, and Harry isn't doing enough to help her."
According to the source, Harry remains focused on his charity work and is ill-equipped to assist in the business realm. "Obviously, he was raised in a different world, where everything was handed to him on a silver platter," the insider said. "There were people to make his appointments, shine his shoes and pay the bills. It must make Markle throw her hands up seeing how helpless and ineffectual Harry is. Everything seems to rest on her shoulders."
Despite the internal tensions and public scrutiny, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made no formal statements regarding the criticism or their strategic next steps. Behind the scenes, they are reportedly leaning on high-profile allies such as Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres for support and industry insight.
Markle is said to be considering a more aggressive strategy to identify detractors within the entertainment world, potentially developing what one insider termed a "burn book" of unsupportive individuals in Hollywood.
