Meghan Markle's latest business venture, a partnership with an AI-driven shopping platform, could potentially undermine Prince Harry's ongoing legal battle to restore automatic security for his family in the United Kingdom, according to royal experts.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, has struck a deal with OneOff, an online platform that allows her to earn a share of profits from the sale of outfits she has worn, particularly those from her recent tour of Australia with Prince Harry. The collaboration will also enable her to profit from garments she wears on future engagements, including potential visits to the UK.
Prince Harry is currently embroiled in a legal dispute to reinstate the automatic taxpayer-funded security that is typically granted to working members of the royal family. The couple stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, leading to the removal of such privileges. However, their recent tour of Australia, which included charitable events and engagements reminiscent of royal tours, has sparked speculation about a possible "half-in, half-out" role for the Sussexes.
Stacy Schaverien, a royal journalist, commented: "If Harry wins back the right to taxpayer-funded security for him and his family, how will that play out when he and Meghan visit the UK? Will Meghan use those visits — which might be filled with charity engagements — as an opportunity to generate income too, as she did with the couple’s Australian tour? If she does, critics would rightly question whether taxpayers should be footing the bill for security."
The timing of this development is particularly sensitive, as the Invictus Games are set to return to the UK next year, with Prince Harry expected to visit Birmingham later this year for preparations. Since leaving the monarchy, Harry and Meghan have pursued various income streams, including deals with Netflix and Spotify, though both have ended. Meghan is also expanding her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which has seen strong demand for its products.
