Meghan Markle is increasingly positioning herself as a standalone public figure rather than one half of the Sussex partnership, according to claims from U.S.-based royal commentators who say the Duchess now believes joint appearances with Prince Harry generate more royal controversy than commercial value.
The reports surfaced after a noticeable change in how the couple have managed their public schedules in recent months. Once marketed almost entirely as a joint enterprise after their 2020 departure from the British monarchy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lately appeared more frequently at separate engagements, prompting renewed scrutiny over whether their professional strategies are diverging.
Neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly addressed the latest speculation, and no evidence has emerged suggesting a personal separation. But the shift in optics has become increasingly difficult for royal watchers and media analysts to ignore.
The latest claims originated with celebrity commentator Rob Shuter during an appearance on "The Nerve" podcast hosted by Maureen Callahan, alongside comments later published in his Substack newsletter. Citing unnamed sources, Shuter argued that Meghan now sees herself as the more commercially viable figure in the relationship.
"Meghan has now decided that, my sources are telling me, she now believes that she is more powerful. She's gonna make more money by stepping forward by herself, not with him," Shuter said.
He offered no public documentation or direct confirmation from the Sussexes' representatives. Still, the comments aligned with recent public appearances that have shown Meghan increasingly pursuing solo branding opportunities while Harry continues focusing heavily on charitable and legacy-related causes.
One recent example frequently cited by commentators was Meghan's reported solo trip to Geneva while Harry remained at the couple's Montecito home. According to Shuter, the separation was intentional rather than logistical.
"Whenever Harry appears beside her, everything becomes about royal drama, and family feuds. Meghan wanted the spotlight on her work, not the chaos surrounding the Royal Family," he wrote in his newsletter.
The Sussexes' post-royal identity has long been intertwined with their conflict with the monarchy.
After stepping down as working royals in early 2020, the couple signed major media agreements, including a Netflix partnership and Spotify podcast deal, while Harry released his memoir Spare. Each project generated enormous publicity, but much of the coverage focused less on their business ventures and more on allegations involving the royal family, including claims raised during their Oprah Winfrey interview and subsequent public appearances.
Critics argue that dynamic has made it difficult for Meghan to establish a separate lifestyle and commercial identity independent of royal tensions.
Shuter framed the issue bluntly during the podcast discussion. "She's a problem, too. She hasn't quite got to that point, but she knows there's a problem with Harry," he said.
The suggestion that Meghan could earn more independently remains speculative. No financial records or contract disclosures have surfaced showing how their joint ventures are structured internally or whether Meghan-led projects perform better commercially than shared Sussex branding.
Still, industry observers note that Meghan has increasingly leaned into lifestyle-oriented ventures that differ sharply from Harry's public image. Her recent projects have emphasized wellness, domestic aesthetics, fashion and personal branding, areas that attract different audiences and sponsors than Harry's ongoing focus on mental health advocacy, veterans initiatives and disputes involving the monarchy.
Despite the speculation, public messaging from the couple continues to emphasize unity.
Just days before the latest reports circulated, Meghan shared anniversary photos and videos celebrating eight years of marriage, including footage from their 2018 Windsor wedding and clips of family celebrations at home in California. The posts projected a relaxed domestic image rather than one suggesting internal strain.
No credible reporting currently indicates divorce discussions, formal separation or plans to dissolve the Sussex brand entirely. Instead, what appears to be emerging is a distinction between personal partnership and professional presentation.
