Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Hollywood plans have been “shattered” because they have failed to understand what makes the Royal Family endure. Esther Krakue said the Sussexes’ star quality has waned as they failed to follow the Windsor rule to “never explain, never complain”.
According to Express, her claims come after The Hollywood Reporter named Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, two of the “biggest losers” in Tinseltown for 2023.
The couple’s Archewell Foundation racked up losses of almost £9million in donations, the organisation’s records show. Ms Krakue told Sky News Australia: “For them to be classed as the biggest losers means that actually a lot of the people that you would think would hover around them and steal a bit of the limelight that the Sussexes should naturally have, given their proximity [to] the Royal Family,… they’re just not seeing any value there.”
She added: “This is a couple that went from having deals with and Spotify – these multimillion pound deals. They were having interviews with Oprah. You really felt that they were going to be Hollywood’s next big thing, that they were really going to eclipse their royal titles and their royal ties and they were going to become Hollywood royalty. But that’s not happened.”
Ms Krakue said royal watchers “never really saw” the Sussexes follow the Windsors’ commitment to service and duty, adding: “It really just made their star wane. And for that reason many in don’t really see the point in attaching themselves to the Sussexes.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry failed to understand a key characteristic of the Royal Family that has helped it endure over centuries of turbulence. The unofficial motto “never complain, never explain” has steered senior royals away from addressing gossip or scandals about their private lives.
By speaking openly about personal difficulties and family rifts, Harry and Meghan broke with this long-held tradition. Their willingness to “tell their truth” won them global media attention at first. But it also exposed them to criticism that continues to damage their reputations today.
In choosing self-promotion over discretion and duty, the Sussexes misjudged public appetite. Their star appeal has dimmed rather than continuing to rise. And their dreams of conquering Hollywood as a royal power couple have not come to pass.
Potential partners in the entertainment industry are increasingly wary of working with the ex-royals. Their brand looks less attractive by the month despite bold announcements about content deals and creative plans.
Behind the scenes, Harry and Meghan’s organization Archewell is struggling financially after promised donations failed to materialize. The non-profit foundation they launched with great fanfare in 2020 depends on outside funding to operate.
But the Sussexes have found it much harder to attract multi-million dollar gifts from philanthropists than they expected. Without adequate funding, Archewell cannot afford to pay staff salaries or support the causes Harry and Meghan want to champion.
The yawning gap between the Sussexes’ lofty ambitions and underwhelming reality is now plain for all to see. Harry and Meghan talk a big game when promoting their latest media ventures and business deals.
Yet time after time, the results fail to match the hype. Grand announcements lead nowhere while the Sussexes’ focus constantly shifts from one half-baked scheme to another.
As their star has waned in Hollywood, Meghan has explored opportunities to revive her acting career. But so far, no major roles have materialized despite signing with a top talent agency.
Industry insiders claim the Duchess of Sussex has struggled to convince directors and producers to hire her. Her royal connections intrigued some at first but are now viewed as baggage.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s attempts to position himself as an expert commentator on social issues and mental health have fallen flat. The public and media grow weary of his constant complaints about the press, his upbringing and family problems.
As 2023 begins, the Sussexes find themselves at a crossroads. Thus far, their bid to conquer Hollywood and turn themselves into billion-dollar global influencers has failed.
To revive their fortunes in 2024, Harry and Meghan will need to deliver substantive results instead of hype. But a fundamental rethink of their brand and business strategy is required first.
The Sussexes need to better understand what real influence stems from – service, selflessness and focus on issues larger than oneself. Only then can Harry and Meghan regain the kind of respect, trust and affection the Queen inspired for 70 years.
