Last week, allegations surfaced that Prince Harry and Meghan’s marriage is in jeopardy as a result of their terminated Spotify deal. Rumors began to circulate on gossip websites, but the Prince’s inner circle refuted the allegations.
“It’s not true, it’s literally made up,” an insider told Page Six. While one of the authors of the biography Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie dismissed the rumors on social media.
ALSO ON TSZ US: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Dreams Of Conquering America Are Coming To An End
Even without that, the Sussexes have had a difficult month. According to reports, they have experienced anything from canceled July 4th events to being banned from a private club.
Let us take a look at all of the difficult obstacles that the couple has had to overcome.
Fallout After Spare
Until the beginning of the year, the pair’s post-royal endeavors were completed collaboratively – until Spare. Harry’s memoir, which was published in January, made allegations concerning Prince William, King Charles, and the Queen Consort.
Harry self-promoted the book. He gave several high-profile interviews in which he spoke openly about his life.
However, The Telegraph reports that Meghan was more cautious than he was about his memoir project. According to the publication, “media-savvy” Meghan may have expressed mild reservations about releasing the memoir.
She is said to have supported Harry when he decided to move through with the idea.
“Is this the way she would have approached things? Possibly not. But she will always back him and would never have got involved in promoting such a personal project. This was about his own life, his journey, and his own perspective,” the insider said.
Career Change
According to recent reports, the duchess has signed with the Hollywood talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME). It was one of the first signals that the couple will be working on their own projects.
Meghan and WME are claimed to be collaborating on film and television production, brand partnerships, and overall company development. “We are honored to announce that WME now represents Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex in all areas,” the agency said at the time.
“The agency will be focusing on building out her business ventures across multiple facets of the agency & its broader ecosystem, including film & television production, brand partnerships & more.”
Harry is not mentioned in the agreement, and one brand expert believes the couple realized they could “earn more” by working on their own “passion projects.”
“The romantic in me says that this is the couple splitting their career path to fully commit to their passion projects,” brand expert Andy Barr told the Mirror. “The commercial cynic in me says that the power couple has realized that they can potentially earn more by dividing and conquering.”
“With Harry rumored to be off to film a series in Africa, it would be no surprise to see Meghan Markle heading off to a region where their brand may have historically struggled to win over fans in order to reinforce their global appeal and make them even more attractive to potential brands wishing to sign them up.”
Called Off Spotify Deal
Meghan and Harry’s £18 million Spotify partnership came to an end when it was confirmed that the duchess’s podcast would not be extended for another season. Meghan hosted the podcast Archetypes, which aired for 12 episodes beginning in August of last year.
In it, she interviewed celebrities, historians, and academics about the history of gender stereotypes.
A statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and Spotify acknowledged the split, saying, “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
The couple, on the other hand, has a solid relationship with Netflix, despite claims to the contrary. “The bond with Archewell Productions is one we deeply value. Harry & Meghan launched as Netflix’s most spectacular documentary debut to date,” according to a Netflix spokesperson.
Air Force One Snub
The Duke and Duchess allegedly sought to fly on Air Force One, Joe Biden’s official plane. The two had requested to fly in the plane to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, according to the Daily Mail.
However, the President is alleged to have declined the proposal due to the potential impact on relations with the Royal Family. Meghan and Harry’s staff allegedly “reached out to the White House to ask if the couple could get a ride back to the United States on Air Force One,” noting how it would have made for a “grand photo opportunity.”
According to the publication, it was an “immediate no from Americans, with Biden’s staff recognizing it was a no-go.”
Avoided By Hollywood Elite
According to The Mirror, the duo has been spurned by the Hollywood elite due to concerns that they would get into trouble with Prince William and Princess Kate.
Newsnation stated that the couple’s high-profile Montecito neighbors, including Steven Spielberg, Julia Louise-Dreyfus, and Rob Lowe, are apparently giving the former senior Royals a wide birth in order to avoid alienating Will and Kate.
“Everyone’s got a movie to sell and a Broadway play they want to debut on screen in London or [London’s] West End and they know that Prince William and Kate — who are the biggest [celebrity] gets over there won’t show if they think someone is friends with Harry and Meghan,” NewsNation’s senior story producer told the outlet’s host Nichole Berlie.
“My sources tell me it’s all about the money. And the big power players in Hollywood aren’t jeopardizing their business for Harry and Meghan.”
Canceled Party
Meghan and Harry were forced to cancel a planned Independence Day party at the last minute. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were thought to be struggling after their Spotify partnership ended, and rumors about their Netflix deal arose.
While a representative has subsequently denied that the couple’s contract with the streaming service is in jeopardy, a source has stated that the news has left them frustrated.
“They had a huge party planned at their house, which they canceled just three days before,” according to the insider. They said Meghan was left with “no choice but to cancel” as a result of the backlash.
According to the source, the pair “erected gazebos” for the party, but they were removed when Meghan “instructed the planners to call it off.” They allege that the cancelation startled guests. Despite the allegations, Meghan and Harry were spotted at a July 4 parade with their son, Prince Archie, who was pictured clutching a US flag.
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the couple was observed enjoying the procession. A security team and friends joined them. Pictures of the pair having fun on their trip were shared on social media, but they were later removed.
Banned From Private Club
Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito after leaving the Royal Family, but it appears they’ve run into some problems in their new neighborhood.
The couple was reportedly barred from entering a private members’ club near their California home. According to Lady Victoria Hervey, “I heard from people in LA that they actually got barred.”
During an appearance on GB News, she said that her friends in California told her that Meghan and Harry had been excluded from the club because they had supposedly arranged for cameras to wait outside for them. The socialite also alleged that the Sussexes do “set-up shots” with paparazzi, although her claims have been refuted.
Nina Myskow, a journalist, also appeared on the show and called Lady Victoria’s assertions “tittle-tattle.” Jill Ishkanian, who recently photographed Meghan at a nearby farmers’ market, also stated that the actress “absolutely does not” inform her of her whereabouts.
“No one calls me, trust me. I have absolutely no support, I do everything by myself. It’s a total pain in the butt when you get their picture to be totally honest,” Jill stated.
The photographer explained that she had been trying to capture Katy Perry’s father when she came across Meghan at the market.
The photographer told Newsweek that she decided to use her phone instead of her long lens equipment to capture a portrait of Meghan.
Meghan has been accused of arranging paparazzi photoshoots in the past. It has been stated that before joining the Royal Family, she used to leak information to the press. This all appeared to change when she met her future husband Harry.
According to Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie’s book Finding Freedom, “while Meghan, before meeting Harry, had occasionally set up a paparazzi photo here and there or let information slip out to the press, she did everything in her power to protect the privacy of her relationship with the prince.”
“She knew that keeping things quiet meant they could get to know each other without the added pressure of reporters covering and commenting on their budding romance.”
The authors said Meghan was “relieved” when the public discovered her relationship with Harry after she had been compelled to keep it hidden from her family and friends.
Shutting Down Spilt Rumors
Many of Harry and Meghan’s pals have stepped forward to put an end to rumors of marital problems, following reports that the couple was taking time apart.
A Sussex source close to the couple told Bazaar that the reports are “complete garbage,” confirming the Page Six insider’s statement that “it’s literally made up.”
According to Judi James, a body language specialist, certain of their rituals are still “alive and well” although they are not as tactile as they were previously in public.
ALSO ON TSZ US: Prince William ‘To Bankroll Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’ If They Return To The UK
“Harry and Meghan have been a walking testimony to marital bliss. Their face-gazing looks of mutual adoration and their inability to not touch, hug, stroke, or clasp hands with each other for longer than a few moments have always proved that however controversial their comments, their love was an ongoing success story.
“Their two most current appearances together show them snapped on the hoof. The car photos do appear to suggest the hand-holding ritual is still alive and well (although the hands themselves are hidden their arm positioning does suggest the gesture ends in a clasp). Her wide smile when she is with Harry looks like a statement, a social gesture to let fans know her life is still happy and perfect, although his expression is a bit more muted.”
