Meghan Markle: The 'Fraud' Label and As Ever's Royal Misstep

Meghan Markle: The Royal Fake or Just a Shrewd Businesswoman?

The world was left stunned when two of North America's leading brand experts, Phillip Millar and Camille Moore, called out Meghan Markle for running what they believe is one of the worst brands in history. According to these industry insiders, Meghan's lifestyle business, As Ever, is nothing more than a clever ploy to milk her fame from marrying Prince Harry.

"It's a royal disaster," declared Phillip Millar, a lawyer and co-host of The Art of the Brand podcast. "Meghan is pretending to be a domestic goddess, but most people don't buy it. She's not substantial; she's just using opportunities to advance herself."

Camille Moore, a California-based marketing executive, agreed, saying that As Ever lacks authenticity. "She's had zero ownership in this business," Moore said. "It's effectively like she's just labeling her brand."

The controversy surrounding Meghan's business ventures is nothing new. In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back from their senior roles within the Royal Family and pursue more private lives in California. Since then, they have been busy building their own brand, Archewell, which includes a production company, Netflix deal, and various philanthropic efforts.

However, insiders claim that these ventures are not as lucrative as previously thought. "From speaking to someone with knowledge of the deal, it looks like they've probably managed to maybe keep $10million-$15million or a touch more purely for themselves over the nearly five years so far," said a source familiar with the Netflix deal.

This sum is paltry compared to the reported £100 million deal that Harry and Meghan had allegedly secured with the streaming giant. The news has raised questions about whether the couple's financial struggles may be driving their attempts to rebuild bridges with the Royal Family.

Meanwhile, Meghan's silence on social media platform ShopMy has sparked speculation about her true intentions. Initially, she was linking products from her own brand, As Ever, and earning a percentage of every item sold. However, after an initial flurry of activity, she fell silent – a move that insiders believe is more about maintaining her image than generating revenue.

"Meghan doesn't need the money," said a source close to the couple. "Her current priorities are centred on As Ever and expanding her business ventures."

The spotlight has also turned to Prince Harry's financial situation. Insiders claim that he still has £10 million left from his late mother, Princess Diana, but this sum would not be enough to sustain their lifestyle for long.

"It all adds up to needing to clear around $4 million a year after tax," said a source familiar with the couple's finances. "That's quite a task."

In a recent interview, Prince Harry reflected on their financial struggles, stating that they were cut off by his family in 2020 shortly after they announced they would step back as senior members of the Royal Family.

"We wouldn't have been able to do this without [Princess Diana's inheritance]," he said. "Without that, we wouldn't have been able to buy our house and sustain our lifestyle for long."

The couple has reportedly taken out a mortgage on their $14.65 million home in Montecito, with repayments standing at $480,000 a year. Utilities, staffing costs, and security expenses add up to a staggering total of around $4 million per year.

As the world waits with bated breath for Harry and Meghan's next move, one thing is clear: their financial struggles are far from over. Will they find a way to make ends meet or will they need to rely on their royal connections? Only time will tell.

The Scholarly Note

Exclusive Report by The Scholarly Note

Get the inside scoop on the latest news and gossip in our exclusive report. Follow us for more juicy stories and updates!