The Sussex brand is reportedly in a “tailspin” as Meghan Markle appears to be slipping back into the very “complaining and explaining” habits she once claimed to have outgrown.
After a string of business setbacks in California — including the lackluster performance of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and the quiet end of her $100 million deal — the Duchess of Sussex is once again “ruffling feathers” by revisiting old grievances.
During her recent private visit turned “quasi-royal” tour of Australia, Meghan stunned onlookers by claiming she was the “most bullied person in the world.”
Markle stated: “And I can speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way. For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now, I’m still here. And when I think of all of you and what you’re experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realize that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks — that’s not going to change. So you have to be stronger than that.”
Some observers believe Markle’s comment may have impacted her efforts at a Hollywood reinvention.
The Astrology Of Agony: A Return To Grievance
Upon her return to California, Meghan reportedly shared an astrology-themed post referencing “seven years of difficulties,” which some described as a moment of self-expression.
Meghan Markle’s recent Instagram activity has sent the rumor mill into overdrive, as the duchess shared two specific astrology-themed messages that many believe are a direct commentary on her life since entering the Royal Family.
On April 25, Meghan reposted a video from an astrology page featuring two men dancing to Celine Dion. Meghan Markle, who is a Leo, followed this up with a more detailed horoscope from the account Spiritdaughter.
The message, which clearly describes the “exhaustion” of living in the public eye, questioning her self-worth, and fighting to merely exist, stated: “Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are finally ending the hardest seven years of their lives on April 25th. The tension between who you actually are and what the world around you is willing to see has been exhausting in a way that is hard to explain to people who have not lived through it.”
The post went on to say: “Your confidence took many hits it had no business taking. You have questioned your creative direction, your spotlight, and your true worth, and then, finally, pressure lifts. You get the space to just exist without fighting for it.”
Some royal experts believe the “seven-year cycle” mentioned in the post lines up almost exactly with Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018, leading critics to believe the “hardest years” she is referring to are her years as a duchess.
Some view Meghan’s choice to share these posts as an effort to focus on her personal experiences, with others interpreting it as an emphasis on her belief that she was not fully seen or valued by the monarchy.
This public reflection on her “drained” years within the royal fold has many wondering if she is paving the way for a major tell-all project.
Despite previously suggesting she was moving on to a lifestyle-focused career in acting and business, the failure of her brand As Ever to secure a third season on Netflix has allegedly left her with few options but to “hint” at the secrets she still holds.
The Memoir U-Turn: A Strategic Retreat?
The media is currently abuzz with reports that Meghan has “ditched” plans to write her highly anticipated memoirs, a project that was expected to follow the explosive success of Prince Harry’s Spare.
While the book would have been “hugely lucrative,” a source revealed that the couple is currently attempting to “uphold the standards of the monarchy” — or, as insiders predict, perhaps they are simply “cautious” about the fallout as their revenue streams diminish.
One insider stated: “Meghan and Harry are cautious about everything they do and say to uphold the standards of the monarchy. Those [memoirs] are the types of projects they don’t want to do.”
Desperate Times And The Missing NDA
Despite the current “U-turn” on her book, Meghan has famously noted in the past that she “did not sign an NDA” and “has a lot she could say.”
With her business ventures facing “brutal scrutiny” and her strategy to reconnect with Netflix being labeled as “annoying” by industry insiders, many believe a “tell-all” remains her ultimate “break glass in case of emergency” card.
The source added: “They do the best they can not to upset the royals. Everyone who goes into business with them knows there are constraints, but it hurts the project’s creativity. They are adamant about having creative control… and what they can’t say limits things.”
Meghan Markle has always expressed a determination to use her voice — something she said was limited during her time within the palace.
Upon leaving the United Kingdom, she chose to advocate for issues such as injustice, women’s rights, helping children, and raising awareness.
She has also used her voice to share her personal pain and experiences regarding the Royal Family. Following her pattern of speaking up, Meghan may continue to share reflections on her past and, at some point, decide to tell her own story and reclaim her narrative.
