Over a span of just over a week, during which they made several high-profile public appearances, Meghan and Harry were seen together only once, at a Beyonce concert in Los Angeles. Megan's mother, Doria, also joined them for this outing. During the concert, Harry alternated between enthusiastic dancing and moments of apparent discomfort. In other public appearances, they were strictly solo.
Speculation has arisen regarding the state of their five-year marriage, fueled by Meghan's habit of removing her engagement and eternity rings, as she did during the recent concert. A source in Los Angeles with ties to the media industry has asserted that their marriage is "100% over," a sentiment echoed by others who have been hearing similar rumors for months.
Furthermore, doubts have been cast on the future of their deal with Netflix. Some suggest that Netflix may not renew their contract in two years, primarily due to the expectation that Meghan and Harry might no longer be a couple by that time.
Exploring their evolving brand strategy, brand culture expert Nikki, who has been a friend of Meghan since before she met Harry, sheds light on their approach. She suggests that the first step in their brand separation is for Meghan to distance herself from the victim narrative and, in a way, distance herself from Harry so that people can see her as an individual. Nikki also hints at the possibility of Meghan blaming Harry, at least partially, for her estrangement from her father or even her siblings.
The overarching goal for Meghan is to move away from her Duchess status and her previous focus on charitable work, which has led to her feeling isolated and hidden away. In contrast, Harry has at times openly embraced the role of a victim, using the victim narrative in relation to the royal family, citing issues such as discrimination, unconscious bias, and personal conflicts.
However, some critics argue that Meghan and Harry may have missed the opportunity to execute a more graceful and strategic exit from the royal family. They suggest that they could have built their brands slowly and more humbly, maintaining their connections with the royal family for a safety net. Instead, their actions, such as the quick release of a tell-all book, have caused reputational damage.
While Meghan appears determined to break free from certain narratives and carve her own path, the evolving dynamics of her relationship with Harry and the challenges they face in their brand separation journey continue to be subjects of public scrutiny and debate.
