After years of interviews, a Netflix series, and a tell-all book, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle must surely now be ready to settle down into a quiet life in the US. Of course, their many accusations, revelations, and claims made at the expense of the British Royal Family have left an indelible mark on the Duke’s relatives across the pond in the UK.
Harry and Meghan haven’t announced any new projects in the US, but the money they reportedly pocketed for their Netflix documentary series and Harry’s book, Spare, should see them set for quite a while.
The couple have been busy building a new life since moving to the US, though not everything appears to be going swimmingly. According to Hollywood insider and broadcaster Tim Dillon, Meghan is desperate to hang out with friends in Los Angeles, around an hour and 30 minutes from their home.
Interestingly, however, said friends might not share that interest, with Meghan reportedly viewed by some as a low-grade reality star.
Harry’s recent return to the UK and “reunion” with his family was a short-lived affair. The prince arrived in London just before his father’s historic coronation, and left shortly after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. King Charles is said to have invited Harry to the more private lunch later that day, but to his father’s disappointment, the Duke flew back to the US to be with his family on his son Archie’s birthday.
Harry & Meghan
Certain royals were said to have breathed a sigh of relief when Harry skipped the private lunch. Perhaps that isn’t so strange considering what Harry has said about the family of late, not least in his tell-all memoir.
For Harry, the book was a huge success. He reportedly got $20 million for penning Spare, and his publisher Penguin Random House was delighted with the sales figures. It makes sense to assume that Harry could technically produce a second book from the content that didn’t make the final manuscript for Spare.
Interestingly, though, another massive project might be in the works moving forward.
Earlier this year, a senior industry source told the Express that Penguin Random House had been left stunned by the success of Harry’s book – and that “the heat is on” to encourage Meghan Markle to write one as well.
Harry and Meghan’s four-book deal with the publisher was said to include an eye-watering $20 million advance. That said, the global royalties for Harry’s book might be more than $120 million. An industry source said the figures have “surprised everyone.”
“Nobody expected sales figures like the ones we are seeing,” the source told Express.
“Harry could easily overtake the combined book sales of the Obamas, the company’s current joint best-selling authors. That’s why the heat is on to get Meghan’s version of events – both with the Royal Family and her own family members in America – out there in print as soon as possible, ideally early next year to pick-up sales when demand for Spare slows down.”
Meghan might write her own tell-all memoir, expert claims
While the Sussexes are said to be working on a leadership book currently, it might be time for Meghan to start thinking about focusing on a memoir herself, the source added.
Such a book would undoubtedly become Penguin Random House’s top priority.
“Having seen Harry’s sales, they’re convinced Meghan’s story in her own words can sell even more, especially in the US,” the industry insider claimed.
Whether or not Meghan will write a memoir remains to be seen. But royal commentator Andre Phillips opines that she probably will, comparing her and Harry to former President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she came out with a book herself,” Phillips said.
“I really feel like they’re trying to follow up the Obamas in a way because Barack had a book, now Michelle has a book. So, I think she’s going to definitely come out with her bombshell tell-all.”
Harry and Meghan Markle’s current life in Montecito, California, looks markedly different from the one they left in the UK. Above all else, they aren’t followed by paparazzi everywhere, and the mere fact that Meghan was able to give birth to daughter Lilibet in relative peace – compared to when Archie was born in the UK – was life-changing.
And let’s not even talk about the weather…
The couple live in a big mansion dubbed “Fort Knox,” and count the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey among their neighbors.
Harry & Meghan Markle accused of being “low-grade reality stars
Harry has been spotted playing polo in Santa Barbara from time to time, while Meghan reportedly spends more time in Los Angeles. Who they usually hang out with hasn’t been clarified, but latest reports suggest that Meghan is keen on seeing more people in Los Angeles.
But are her feelings reciprocated by those she wishes to spend time with?
According to Hollywood insider, broadcaster, comedian, and actor Tim Dillon, Harry and Meghan only want to spend time with celebrities because they see themselves as just that – celebrities.
“I know people in LA that know them, and all they want to do is hang out with celebrities. I was at a celebrity party the other night talking to somebody about this, and they go, ‘these people are just… it’s constant with them,’” Dillon said on the “They Come and Go” episode of his podcast, The Tim Dillon Show, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“She was texting the person I was with there – and, ‘no, you can’t come’. I shouldn’t have even been there. But the point is they just won’t stop, these two. They are just like moths to the flame trying to hang out… They’re like low-grade reality stars that are trying to attach to anything.”
A New York native, Dillon’s podcast is hugely successful, with more than 500,000 subscribers on YouTube. Moreover, he’s done several tours as a comedian and even has a comedy special on Netflix.
This is not the first time Dillon has criticized Harry and Meghan. Back in September 2021, the comedian tweeted:
“Harry and Meghan are such a gift to this county. Thank GOD for them. They make everything OK. Just because they’re here. They’re helping people by being on NETFLIX! This was such a happenstance thing, not at all a plan they had. I love when good things just happen. There IS hope!”
“‘We’ve had enough of her’”
Going into further detail regarding Meghan’s text messages, Dillon claims that friends of his showed text messages from the Duchess where she begged people to “hang out.”
“She is trying to get places. It’s sad. A lot of it isn’t working, and they are rolling their eyes to me, and they’re going LOL, and we are all having a good laugh about this because they’re just a bunch of goons, and no one cares.”
The broadcaster and comedian added: “Now listen, at the end of the day, I respect the hustle, I get what she’s trying to do, I get what they are trying to do, but it didn’t work, right? A lot of people at this party were like, ‘Hey man, you know, we text her back, we tried to be nice, she’s the Duchess, but we’ve had enough, we’ve had enough of her.”
Harry and Meghan’s popularity in the UK is said to have plummeted after the release of the couple’s Netflix series and Harry’s book, Spare.
As reported by Newsweek, the latest poll made by YouGov in the UK suggests that Harry was liked by 46 percent of voters during the first quarter of 2023. In the last quarter of 2022, the number was 52 percent. Meanwhile, Meghan was liked by 38 percent in the final quarter of 2022 and dropped to just 36 percent in the first quarter of this year.
Moreover, she was also disliked by 24 percent of pollers in the first quarter of 2023 – that figure is risen from 12 percent last year.
Insider claims Harry & Meghan are done with Netflix shows and books
The numbers hardly paint a pretty picture. According to Newsweek, though, “the figures represent a much healthier outlook for the couple than other polling agencies have given them in recent months.” The news outlet even suggests that it could “still be a boost for Harry and Meghan.”
There have been many reports concerning what Harry and Meghan will do next. Money doesn’t seem to be a problem, following their recent endeavors, giving them – on paper at least – a freedom to choose what they want to spend their time on.
Meghan, as mentioned, could write her own book, though experts suggest she and Harry might move on to new adventures within the Netflix sphere.
The Sun claims Harry and Meghan will launch a new Netflix project. Instead of being in front of the camera, they will be behind the cameras in future productions. Moreover, the insider claims the Sussexes are destined to move on from publishing memoirs and criticizing the Royal Family.
Why? Well, simply because they have run out of material.
“That period of their life is over – as there is nothing left to say,” a source told The Sun.
Of course, not everyone agrees that Harry and Meghan are done with books and being in front of the camera.
Harry & Meghan Markle dubbed “specialize in doing the unexpected”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail the pair would most likely continue to create things similar to what we’ve seen over the past few years, including shows, interviews, and books.
He added that Harry and Meghan Markle “specialize in doing the unexpected” and will plan depending on what favors their brand.
Fitzwilliams said there is “obviously plenty left that they could say in print.” He says there remains “enormous’ international interest in Harry and Meghan’s activities.”
“His early life might make the third (book) and Meghan could write a memoir, as has been rumoured. There is obviously plenty left that they could say in print,” the royal expert concluded.
“‘The question is, would it benefit them and how would it help their brand and the causes they support?’”
