One day, both the royal family and the public might awaken to the unveiling of Meghan Markle's ambitious relaunch. Some are calling it the "second coming" of Brand Sussex, while others view it as a last-minute image overhaul. It appears that Meghan, a notable figure in royal history, is gearing up for something substantial.
What could it be? Will it be a blog, a website, a social media platform, an e-commerce venture, or perhaps a destination for Oprah-style armchair psychology and self-help? The details remain elusive, but as the clock ticks down to the grand reveal of Meghan's rumored entrepreneurial endeavor, the anticipation grows. Could this set the stage for a fresh showdown with Buckingham Palace?
To provide some context, Meghan Markle's journey over the past year has been rather unconventional. She largely remained out of the public eye, even as Prince Harry gained attention for his book "Spare." Meghan resurfaced in April, signing with renowned Hollywood agent Aria Manuel, a move aimed at reviving her career. Her previous podcasting venture had seen limited success, lasting only one season, and her children's show with Netflix was canceled due to budget cuts.
There has been speculation that Meghan might be returning to the digital world, reminiscent of her pre-royal life when she operated a blog called "The Tig." Recent reports suggest she might even be making a comeback to blogging, with insiders hinting that it will be a surprising departure from expectations, reflecting Meghan's true identity.
However, the potential complexity arises when considering how a royal family member's business endeavors might be perceived by the palace. It begs the question: what if Meghan uses her royal title, "The Duchess of Sussex," to promote products? This situation parallels previous controversies, notably with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and her business pursuits over the past couple of decades.
Meghan Markle's impending career move is shrouded in mystery, leaving both royal watchers and the palace with much to ponder. As Meghan strives for a reinvention, the path she chooses and the impact on her royal standing remain uncertain.
When it comes to funding her expenses, Sarah Ferguson, also known as Fergie, has tried various avenues, including some questionable ones, like seeking assistance from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Fergie's entrepreneurial endeavors have encompassed two autobiographies, five diet and wellness books, and a lucrative stint as the face of Weight Watchers. She's also dabbled in endorsements, including Wedgewood, and ventured into reality TV with a two-part special titled "The Duchess on the Estate." Additionally, she served as a special correspondent for NBC's "Today" program and featured in ads for Charles Schwab. Notably, she even appeared on the U.S. Home Shopping Network to promote a juicer.
Throughout these ventures, Fergie consistently leveraged her royal title, "The Duchess of York," for commercial gain. However, the palace attempted to distance itself from her business pursuits, emphasizing her separation from Prince Andrew after their divorce.
In contrast, Meghan Markle, as the daughter-in-law of the king, remains a member of the royal family. This distinction implies that her commercial activities could potentially have more significant implications than Fergie's. It's crucial to acknowledge that while promoting diet shakes and juicers might raise eyebrows, it doesn't necessarily spark controversy. However, if Meghan utilizes her Sussex title for her projects, it could become a different story.
Comparatively, during Fergie's financial endeavors in the U.S., Queen Elizabeth was still reigning. The late Queen's approach seemed more lenient than what we've witnessed under King Charles's reign. If Meghan were caught today trying to sell access to a senior royal, it's possible that King Charles would take a different stance, perhaps reducing her to "Miss Ferguson."
Therefore, whether Meghan's forthcoming business, website, social media platform, or whatever it may be, incorporates her Sussex title or not could significantly influence the situation. As Meghan and Harry's public profiles continue to grow, their use of royal titles may attract further scrutiny.
The royal family's response to Meghan and Harry's actions has been mixed, with the king employing various strategies to distance the palace from them. For instance, they were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their UK residence. Additionally, their royal website entries have been relegated to the bottom of the family page. Meghan and Harry haven't been invited for a visit, even when in close proximity during their upcoming trip to Europe for the Invictus Games.
Considering the royal family's current stance, the use of gifted titles by Meghan to generate substantial income might not be well-received. King Charles is unlikely to tolerate members of the royal family using their titles for financial gain, especially given his approach to preserving the monarchy's integrity, as demonstrated when he put his foot down in early 2020 to prevent the couple from capitalizing on their titles.
If Meghan's new venture ventures into the realm of self-help or continually highlights the royal family's perceived faults, it could further complicate matters. The question remains: will Meghan use her royal connection to bolster her new business's success? In this evolving scenario, Fergie, whom Meghan mentioned having lunch with in their Netflix docu-series, could be a potential confidante or even a collaborator.
In the midst of this unfolding narrative, it's intriguing to anticipate what Meghan has been working on behind the scenes. Is her upcoming endeavor truly as remarkable as she claims? Only time will tell. What's certain is that Meghan's next move will be closely watched and analyzed by many.
