THE past few weeks have been fairly quiet on the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry front, but she is working hard behind the scenes, according to an expert.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Phil Dampier claims that a temporary hiatus by the Duchess of Sussex means she is very busy.

Meghan Markle is focusing on her upcoming solo projectsCredit: AP

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The Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard is to be launchedCredit: instagram/@AmericanRivieraOrchard
Phil told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “I think she is genuinely probably doing a lot of work in the background for this project with Netflix and this American Riviera Orchard.

“I think that’s the thing that she’s focusing on.

“She’s probably had a few problems with the trademark or something, or with the name of the thing, and probably has to go through some legal battles.

“But I think that’s going to be the next thing, and she probably wants a bit of a hiatus so that she can really launch that.”

We shared in September how Meghan has suffered a blow in a bid to trademark her new homewares empire – after trying to claim ownership of the entire American Riviera.

In a setback officials pointed out that the wording of her brand is a common nickname for Santa Barbara in California.

Further hitches include Meg and her team filling in the official forms incorrectly, and failing to send enough cash.

We last saw Meghan – who is mum to Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – on October 5, as she attended the LA Children’s Hospital Gala without Prince Harry.

Meghan wore a plunging red Carolina Herrera gown – which she had previously worn at a gala for veterans with Prince Harry in New York in 2021.

Prince Harry has also undertaken a number of solo ventures without Meghan, including to Africa and the UK in September and October.

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We last saw Meghan at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) GalaCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Sussexes’ confidante insisted: “It is normal for couples to not do everything together.”

Phil added: “In terms of their business and charitable activities, they do seem to be having their own policies at the moment and going in separate ways.

“But it’s not a bad thing to have a quiet period from them, is it?

“Sometimes a bit of a rest is needed.”

Speaking on our first ever Royal Exclusive Live show, Arthur Edwards and Jennie Bond lifted the lid on the power couple’s recent time apart.

Sun legend Arthur revealed how the pair are ‘doing things separately now’ after failing to be spotted together in three weeks.

Meanwhile Jennie, a royal correspondent for the last 35 years, also revealed: “Meghan is not popular.

“She doesn’t want to come back and they are going their own ways, to some extent”.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be focusing on solo venturesCredit: Getty

Meghan’s new show

One of Meghan’s upcoming projects is her new Netflix cooking show.

The currently untitled project is based in Montecito and is being produced by The Intellectual Property Corporation, part of Sony Pictures Television.

It is yet to have an air date, but will “celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.

Andrew Bloch, PR guru and founder of Andrew Bloch & Associates, told Fabulous: “All eyes will be on Meghan’s new show delivering big numbers for Netflix.

“They signed a $100M deal with Harry and Meghan in 2020 and are looking for a return on their investment.

“No doubt Netflix will promote the show heavily, however, will be acutely aware of the fierce competition in the cooking and home space.

“This combined, with the fact that this is a new avenue for Meghan and comes off the back of Harry’s Spare backlash, will add to the pressure.”

Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back as senior working royals?

PRINCE Harry has always wanted out of the Royal Family and the repercussions will be felt for years, an expert has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex has lived in California with his wife Meghan Markle since 2020 after they dramatically quit their jobs as working royals and moved across the pond.

Katie Nicholl, who is Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that Megxit did not come as a surprise to her.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, the commentator explained: “Anyone who knows Harry is aware he’s always wanted a way out of the Royal Family.

“He’s said multiple times on the record that he wished he’d never been born a prince.

“I think he really is living the life he wants to now. It’s very, very sad that it’s played out the way it has.”

In a statement made on the Sussexes’ Instagram account as they stepped back in 2020, the pair wrote: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.

“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.

“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”