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It’s been almost a year since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle told us they were working “to become financially independent” from the royal family – cutting ties with the Privy Purse and all the strings attached to it. And it’s safe to say they’ve delivered on that promise – they’re now on their way to making billions.
They recently stunned us again after announcing they’d signed a podcast deal with Spotify that could be worth up to $100million, adding to their portfolio of projects, which includes a $150m Netflix deal, lucrative voiceover work for Meghan, corporate appearances, and investments in celeb-promoted lifestyle brands. Not bad for a couple who just wanted a quieter, more private life.
News of their new Spotify channel, Archewell Audio, stirred up all kinds of criticism, especially after they dropped the playful trailer for their “holiday special”, in which they bantered with each other over Christmas music, and urged their listeners to “tap follow right now – go ahead”. They then explained they were launching the channel to “bring forward different perspectives and voices that perhaps you haven’t heard before. And find our common ground.”
Unsurprisingly, not everybody was thrilled, with some questioning how they were supposed to “find common ground” with a couple who seem to be cashing in on their name and status. The outrage grew louder when it was revealed at the same time that Meghan had also invested in an upscale “super-latte” business – and had asked her very influential friend Oprah Winfrey to plug it on her Instagram. As one Twitter user put it, “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle longed for life’s simple and anonymous pleasures, like launching a new, heavily publicised podcast and cashing in on celebrity endorsements,” while another weighed in, “Their greed is out of control.”
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship timeline
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
1 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
3 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
14 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
15 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
16 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
18 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
19 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
25 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
26 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
27 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
28 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
29 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
30 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
31 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
32 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
As the Sussexes’ eternal critic Piers Morgan put it, “They’re now making gazillions doing very commercial deals, which is absolutely fine. But, of course, they’re only making the money because they’re the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, otherwise they wouldn’t make a bean.” There was also some confusion as to how much money would be going to their charitable foundation, also called Archewell.
There was love for the couple, though, with one fan tweeting, “They have the power, will and heart to do good with the money they’re earning.” And according to insiders close to the former royals – who live with their one-year-old son Archie in a $14m mansion in Santa Barbara – they’re not letting the negativity stop them from building their empire.
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“Harry and Meghan are well aware of the criticisms and allegations of greed, and find it tiresome and irritating,” says our source. “What matters more to them is living life on their terms and moving ahead with things they’re mutually excited about. They never doubted their ability to make money, but they’re adamant that this deal and others have come about because of their hard work and who they are as individuals. They find suggestions that they’re still milking their association with Harry’s family insulting.”
What’s more, we’re told, they’re only getting started. “In time, we’ll definitely be seeing Meghan endorsing other wellness products, plus probably launching her own range of fitness and beauty products, and even bringing back website The Tig,” says our insider. “Harry’s looking at all kinds of opportunities, too, including voiceover work, and involving himself more in the business side of sport and leisure. The future is looking brighter and busier than ever – not to mention indescribably lucrative.
“We’re potentially talking billions.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.