A major book deal, previously signed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is said to have “quietly dissipated”, according to one LA-based royal expert.

Harry and Meghan signed with Penguin Random House in 2021 (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly faced another major blow as their multi-million-pound book deal with Penguin Random House is said to have “quietly dissipated”.

The lucrative deal, which is reported to have been worth a staggering £16.2million [$20m], is said to have fallen through the cracks, as reported recently by Page Six.

Speaking to Kevin O’Sullivan for Talk TV about a recent brutal Vanity Fair article targeting Meghan and Harry, royal expert Kinsey Schofield said: “Page Six is reporting that Harry and Meghan’s 20 million [dollar] deal with Penguin Random House , that they signed in 2021, seems to have quietly dissipated and that is the story…

“Vanity Fair is clear and communicating the fact that this is a theoretical pitch that someone on Meghan’s team was making ‘if there’s ever a divorce, how much do you think this book would be worth to you’. They were very clear on that.”

She added that Penguin Random House are said have had “higher expectations” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Kinsey adding, “[Vanity Fair reported] how these two, their work ethic is incredibly questionable, their collaboration skills are not so strong, is that potentially why Penguin Random House no longer [has a deal with them].”

As part of their deal with Penguin, Prince Harry released Spare in January 2023. The paperback version, however, was not released until October 2024.