Rumors are swirling that Meghan Markle may be looking to reconnect with the royal family after several attempts to build her own personal brand reportedly failed to gain lasting momentum.
Since stepping back from royal duties alongside Prince Harry in 2020, the Duchess of Sussex has pursued a variety of projects and business ventures. However, according to reports from royal insiders, Meghan is now eager to reclaim the royal standing she once left behind.
Broadcaster Mark Dolan claimed Meghan has come to realize that her independent image has not connected with audiences in the way she had hoped.
“It’s my understanding that Meghan has realised that her solo projects aren’t working and that Meghan as this amazing independent brand is not successful,” Dolan explained.
Questions Around Meghan’s Business Ventures
Although Meghan’s lifestyle label As Ever has reportedly experienced strong sales, branding and PR expert Renae Smith suggested that early success does not necessarily guarantee long-term stability.
“Right now, it still feels reactive rather than disciplined,” Smith noted in comments to Yahoo!.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle program, With Love, Meghan, reportedly struggled to make a major impact with audiences. According to a source who spoke with journalist Paula Froelich, the series failed to build strong viewer engagement and was not renewed for a third season.
Hopes of Reconnecting With the Royal Family
According to Dolan, Meghan is now said to be focused on rebuilding ties with King Charles III and hopes to regain a more prominent royal identity.
“My royal insiders are telling me that she’s all out now to get back to the UK to reconnect with King Charles and to effectively be Princess Meghan again,” he said.
Dolan also claimed that Meghan and Harry’s recent visit to Australia was intended to demonstrate that the couple could still handle royal-style duties if given the opportunity to return as working royals.
“That’s what Australia was about – dipping their toe back in that water.”
Royal Tour Comparisons Spark Criticism
The couple’s Australian appearances reportedly resembled traditional royal tours in several ways, including public engagements and charitable appearances. However, critics argued that the trip appeared more commercialized than official royal tours of the past.
Reports also suggested that Prince William was unhappy with how Meghan and Harry were allegedly using their royal connections, which may have further damaged any possibility of returning to official royal duties.
Royal author Tom Bower even suggested the couple’s titles could eventually be reconsidered once William becomes king.
“Exploiting their royal status to earn money is making them intolerable for the palace,” Bower said.
“When William is king, I think he will strip them of their titles, because it’s hugely damaging to the royal family,” Bower added.
