Prince Harry's long-standing demand for total privacy directly conflicts with Meghan Markle's public-facing business ventures, creating an unavoidable dilemma at the heart of 'Brand Sussex', according to an opinion piece by Chris Riches.
For years, Harry has complained about his lifelong lack of privacy, even taking cases to the High Court and losing when he believed privacy had been breached. However, since Megxit, the couple have promoted themselves as 'Brand Sussex' to fund their new life in California.
Back in the UK with the cash register ringing
Now back in the UK, they need to keep earning, which requires them to 'sell themselves', their family image and their private conversations. This week, Meghan faced criticism on social media after launching her latest As Ever product ahead of Christmas: a luxury £112 advent calendar.
Meghan's products do not come cheap. On her As Ever website, a jar of honey costs $32, a jar of jam is $12, and four scented candles are $256, working out at around £48 each. The new advent calendar features an illustration of Harry and Meghan's Californian home, just over a month after the duchess moved back to the UK.
A magical celebration of the season
The box includes the words "A magical celebration of the season" and explains that the 24 handcrafted chocolates are there to "sweeten each day" and have been "thoughtfully inspired by our Montecito garden". The limited-edition product was added to As Ever's website for pre-order on Thursday, working out at around £3.50 per chocolate.
Meghan was pictured on As Ever's Instagram smiling as she opened one of the calendar's numbered doors while sitting on a window seat in a neutrally decorated room. On her personal Instagram, the couple frequently share an idyllic lifestyle, showing themselves with their dogs Pula and Mia, or playing with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in the Cotswolds countryside.
Private citizens or public figures?
King Charles made it clear when the Sussexes returned to the UK that they are not working royals and are to be deemed "private citizens". Harry and Meghan responded by saying they would prefer to be classed as "public figures".
If they want to be treated as celebrities, marketing their private life to accumulate wealth, that is fine, but while Meghan counts her cash, Harry cannot then complain about privacy. If Harry gets his way and the couple surround themselves with a ring of steel, it could affect Meghan's businesses or acting career.
The pair are also currently pleading for taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police armed protection officers, usually only given to working royals. Right now they are sitting on a fence and will have to decide who they want to be sometime.
