When Prince Harry launched his memoir Spare in January 2023, the title reflected how he felt about his place in the Royal Family. The book detailed the psychological toll of being “the spare” and family dynamics that left him feeling second best. Now, the real spare part in the Royal Family appears to be his wife, Meghan Markle.
Since stepping away from royal life in 2020 in a move dubbed Megxit, Harry has kept himself relevant. His work with the Invictus Games has given him something worthwhile to focus on away from “the Firm”. Meghan, however, has struggled to turn her royal credentials into anything substantial since leaving her television career.
Failed ventures and downgraded deals
Despite attempts to establish herself as an entrepreneur and influencer, Meghan's Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, was roundly criticised before being axed. The couple's deal with the streaming giant was downgraded to a first-refusal arrangement.
Her As Ever range has drawn lukewarm reactions, doing little to suggest she has found her calling. Attempts to revive her Instagram presence and establish herself as an influencer have a glaring flaw: despite her previous lifestyle blog, The Tig, Meghan was never quite the influencer she seemed to think she was.
Return to UK and public appearances
Moving Harry and their two children to the US was supposed to give the couple a fresh start, but Hollywood success has failed to materialise. A-list connections have hardly translated into lasting celebrity clout.
Meghan's biggest recent appearance in the UK was a trip to a local pub in the Cotswolds, accompanied by Harry and former Montecito neighbours Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. This prompted criticism from royal commentators. Hilary Fordwich suggested to Fox News Digital that Meghan was trying “for all to see that she’s extending her celebrity world from California to the Cotswolds, aiming to be viewed as significant”.
Recently, Harry headed to Welford Road Stadium to watch Leicester Tigers take on Gloucester Rugby. He enjoyed a beer, celebrated the Tigers' victory and caught up with friends in the stands. Meghan was nowhere to be seen, and nobody seemed particularly bothered that she wasn't there.
Struggling to find a role
Meghan is increasingly looking surplus to requirements. Having tried acting, television, lifestyle branding and influencing, she seems to have become a Jack of all trades and master of none.
During their time in the US, Meghan was rarely far from Harry's side. Since their return to Britain, however, she has been far less prominent. The woman who once seemed determined to insert herself into every photograph is now conspicuously absent from many of Harry's public appearances.
Harry may have written Spare to describe the pain of feeling like the secondary royal, but he has since found ways to carve out a role for himself beyond that label. Meghan, meanwhile, seems to be struggling to work out what her role is supposed to be. For someone who once appeared so determined to be at the centre of everything, becoming the real spare may be the most galling twist of all.
