Despite stepping back from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain at the forefront of global headlines with an unending series of controversies. Many wonder why a couple of noble royal lineage would willingly “tarnish” their own image and that of their family, behaving like showbiz celebrities. The answer lies in a sophisticated, meticulously planned media campaign designed to leverage their royal status to build a personal brand and generate immense profits.
The Sussexes’ Never-Ending Drama: A Deliberate Strategy
From the moment Meghan, an American actress of African descent with a previous marriage, entered the British Royal Family in 2018, she captured attention due to her unconventional background. Alongside Harry, the couple quickly became a media focal point, rivaling Prince William and Princess Kate in popularity. However, their historic decision to step away from royal duties in 2020 sent shockwaves through the world, marking the beginning of a relentless series of dramas. Though they claimed to seek a quieter life, Harry and Meghan have since created a storm of controversies for themselves and their family, starting with their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, followed by a string of high-profile projects and events. Not a single day passes without the Sussexes making headlines.
Their projects have been unapologetic in targeting the Royal Family, with serious allegations ranging from racism within the palace to harsh descriptions of family members—labeling Prince William as “disloyal,” Queen Camilla as “dangerous,” and Princess Kate as having a “baby brain.” Harry and Meghan have held nothing back, revealing every shocking detail to undermine the royal institution, their own family, and the monarchy itself. Over the past three years, their every move has been scrutinized, even when met with disdain. The more dramatic, controversial, and shocking their actions, the more attention they garner. So, what exactly are the calculations and plans behind their actions?
A Sophisticated Media Strategy by the Sussexes
There’s no denying that Harry and Meghan traded the rigid protocols and constraints of palace life in the UK for a far freer existence in the United States. This desire for freedom is understandable, but it’s clear their ambitions go beyond mere liberty. No one can fault them for leaving, especially when life in America has not only offered comfort but also the opportunity to earn astronomical sums of money.
If you think the series of scandals surrounding the Sussexes is purely coincidental, meant to share their story, inspire others, or even exact revenge on the Royal Family, you’re underestimating their media savvy. From start to finish, this has been a highly calculated game. Had they remained working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would still have lived a comfortable life, funded by public taxes and Harry’s inheritance from his parents and relatives. However, wearing an expensive dress as a royal would invite criticism for “wasting taxpayer money,” a scrutiny Princess Kate faces daily. In America, the dynamic is different—the couple has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in a short time through deals like a $100 million contract with Netflix, a $30 million deal with Spotify, and a $20 million advance for Harry’s book.
In less than three years, the couple has amassed a fortune worth hundreds of millions. When their Netflix documentary aired, it became clear why Harry spoke at the United Nations, why the couple made seemingly inexplicable trips to U.S. cities to meet with politicians as if they were still working royals on official tours, and why they tried—albeit unsuccessfully—to sneak cameras into private royal events in the UK. It was all to gather material for their film, creating content that would captivate global media and public attention.
This is a clash between two powerful, calculated PR machines, each backed by thousands of staff. Sussex fans might see them as champions of truth, inspirational figures, or brave whistleblowers exposing the dark side of the monarchy. But this narrative is hard to reconcile with the undeniable fact that the couple has used the fame they gained from being born into and marrying into the Royal Family to then criticize that very institution.
Why Harry and Meghan Are Unfazed by Negative Backlash
Over the past three years, the Sussex brand has grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as its founders. The more shocking, controversial, and upsetting they are to their detractors, the more their brand spreads and gains notoriety. This is the fundamental principle of media: the more scandal, the more attention—a strategy long employed by global entertainment stars and still proven effective.
The Sussexes have crafted a grand, comprehensive plan: leveraging their existing royal fame to tell stories that pique universal curiosity, all to generate income. However, this brand-building process has been gradual and executed step by step. They’ve never completely destroyed the British Royal Family. They accused someone in the family of racism toward Meghan and their son but never revealed who it was. Two years later, Harry went on television to backtrack, denying that they had ever made such an accusation. They neither have nor could topple the monarchy. All they needed was a dramatic story to tell.
To date, the Royal Family has endured in silence, refusing to publicly respond. No official statements have been released; the only reactions the public hears come from “close sources” or “friends” of the royals. Unfortunately, this strategy of silence has played into the hands of Harry and Meghan, who are media-savvy and fully committed to their PR battle. They know they are unlikely to face serious repercussions from Harry’s family. The reason is simple: the British Royal Family adheres to an unwavering principle that engaging in media battles is “undignified” and damages the monarchy’s image and dignity. So, those hoping for a tit-for-tat escalation to extend this real-life “Crown” drama will be disappointed.
According to Tim Jotischky, director of the PR firm PHA Group, the Royal Family has maintained its moral high ground through silence: “Sometimes the hardest thing in PR is telling a client that the right thing to do is say nothing when your reputation is under attack. Responding can be seen as retaliation, but silence can often be the best approach.” The British Royal Family is a billion-dollar brand with far greater influence than the fledgling Sussex brand, and they must protect their reputation at all costs.
The stark contrast in the approaches of Harry and Meghan versus the Royal Family has fueled the endless drama. Ultimately, Harry has a book to sell, while the Royal Family is in “self-preservation” mode.
What’s Next for the Sussexes?
Prince Harry’s memoir Spare was hailed as the publishing event of the year in the UK, becoming the best-selling non-fiction book of all time, with over 6 million copies sold, according to Kenh14. The documentary Harry & Meghan, while not breaking viewership records, still generated a global media storm, not just in the UK and U.S. These projects have earned the couple significant profits, aligning with their financial goals.
However, the Sussex brand is being squeezed by its own inconsistencies. They advocate for climate change but travel by private jet. They speak about the pressures of parenting while living off a multi-million-dollar royal trust fund. They position themselves as mental health advocates, advising people to take a break if they’re overworked, despite never having worked a traditional job themselves.
According to various sources, Harry and Meghan still owe Netflix and other commercial partners additional projects. In the future, a second part of their documentary may be released, along with more books revealing even more sensational stories. But whether the Sussexes can maintain their media appeal—positive or negative—remains to be seen.
The Telegraph commented: “People are growing increasingly frustrated hearing a very one-sided version of private family events being broadcast around the world. After all, these are unresolved family disputes with no solution in sight. In the end, you’re just airing more of your own ‘dirty laundry.’ It’s slowly becoming a multi-episode drama that no one wants to watch or hear about anymore, especially when people in the real world have their own real problems to worry about.”
Conclusion: A Calculated Drama with an Uncertain Future
Harry and Meghan’s dramas are far from accidental—they are the product of a calculated media strategy to capitalize on their royal fame for financial gain. By leveraging controversy, they’ve built a brand worth hundreds of millions, but at the cost of their credibility and consistency. While their projects like Spare and the Netflix documentary have kept them in the spotlight, the long-term sustainability of their brand is uncertain as public fatigue grows. Meanwhile, the Royal Family’s silence, though strategic, has inadvertently amplified the Sussexes’ narrative. As of April 24, 2025, the Sussexes’ media machine continues to churn, but whether it can maintain its momentum in the face of growing scrutiny remains an open question.
