Since their controversial departure from the United Kingdom in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on a difficult, wobbly path toward establishing a sustainable media empire in the United States. Harry sacrificed his relationship with his brother, Prince William, and the siblings now have what can kindly be described as a “frosty” relationship since Harry stepped down as a “working royal”.
But recent rumors have painted Harry and Meghan‘s stateside life as anything but idyllic. The two have been labeled as “narcissists” as the media empire that began with a hit Netflix docuseries has started to crumble in the first weeks of 2025.
A book deal that could have changed everything
In 2023, Harry released his autobiography “Spare“, although it took an additional year for the book to receive a paperback release. The book was published by Penguin Random House, a major American distributor, as the first release in a planned series of books by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
That deal, signed in 2021, has apparently “dissipated“, according to Page Six. Penguin Random House reportedly has expressed disappointment in the nature of its working relationship with the couple, and the publishing giant has no further plans to work with Harry or Meghan again.
“(Vanity Fair reported) how these two, their work ethic is incredibly questionable, their collaboration skills are not so strong, is that potentially why Penguin Random House no longer (has a deal with them),” royal insider Kinsey Schofield said recently.
Making matters worse for Harry and Meghan is that book deal was estimated to be worth around $20 million, but the couple’s reported ego issues and inability to work together have apparently doomed the agreement. However, a divorce for the royal couple seems out of the question for now, as Meghan and Harry are aware that they have much more value together, co-parenting their two children Archie and Lilibet, than they have apart.