Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Ventures: A Mixed Bag of Successes and Setbacks
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, embarked on a mission to achieve financial independence and redefine their roles outside the British monarchy after stepping down as senior royals in March 2020. Six years later, their post-royal projects have experienced varying degrees of success, with some ventures faltering and others facing uncertain futures.
Meghan’s Children’s Book: ‘The Bench’
Meghan Markle published the children’s picture book The Bench in June 2021, which reached number one in The New York Times children’s picture books category. However, the book received mixed critical responses, with some authors suggesting its success was due to the author’s profile rather than literary merit. A review in New Statesman criticized the book as “barely readable” and a collection of platitudes [New Statesman]. Markle has not published another children’s book since.
The Spotify Deal and ‘Archetypes’
In 2020, the couple signed a multiyear deal with Spotify, but it ended in 2023 after just one podcast series, Archetypes, hosted by Meghan. The podcast explored the negative labels imposed on women. Prince Harry reportedly pitched a podcast featuring interviews with figures like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Mark Zuckerberg, aiming to explore the roots of their behavior, but the idea did not reach to fruition [Vanity Fair]. Spotify executive Bill Simmons publicly criticized the couple, calling them “f****** grifters” after the deal ended [Vanity Fair].
‘Confessions of a Female Founder’
Meghan returned to podcasting in March 2025 with Confessions of a Female Founder, a nine-week series in partnership with Lemonada Media. The podcast featured interviews with female entrepreneurs like Whitney Wolfe Herd, Sara Blakely, Jamie Kern Lima, and Tina Knowles. While the podcast garnered both praise and criticism, Meghan has indicated she is not currently planning a second season, stating her focus is on her business [Mirror].
Archewell Parents Network
A key philanthropic initiative of the Archewell Foundation, the Archewell Parents’ Network, aimed to support parents who had lost children due to online-related causes. However, in January 2026, Newsweek reported that the full operational structure and funding of the network were transferred to the nonprofit ParentsTogether [Newsweek]. This shift occurred as the Archewell Foundation rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies and adopted a new strategy of funding projects run by other charities rather than directly managing them.
Netflix and As Ever
In early 2025, Meghan announced that Netflix had acquired an equity stake in her lifestyle brand, As Ever. However, the partnership ended by mutual consent, with reports suggesting the Netflix team’s cautious approach hindered Meghan’s ambitions for global expansion [Mirror].
Upcoming Australian Visit
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are scheduled to visit Australia in mid-April 2026 for a combination of private, business, and philanthropic engagements [Mirror]. Prince Harry is expected to participate in events related to Australia’s armed forces and veterans’ community [Mirror]. Meghan is rumored to be a guest on the “Her Best Life” podcast, hosted by Jackie “O” Henderson and Gemma O’Neill [Mirror]. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, will not be joining them on this trip [Mirror].
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to navigate their post-royal path, the success of their ventures remains a work in progress. Their upcoming engagements in Australia will be closely watched as they seek to solidify their brand and pursue their philanthropic and business goals.