What Happened to Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex?

Meghan Markle, born Rachel Meghan Markle, became a prominent public figure upon her engagement and subsequent marriage to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2018. After a period of intense media scrutiny and reported tensions within the Royal Family, the couple announced their decision to step back as senior working royals in January 2020, seeking financial independence and a more private life. They subsequently relocated to Montecito, California, and established Archewell Inc., an organization encompassing their for-profit production ventures and non-profit charitable foundation.

Following their move, the Sussexes quickly secured lucrative multi-year deals with major media platforms. In September 2020, they signed a reported $100 million production deal with Netflix through Archewell Productions, aiming to create documentaries, scripted series, and children's programming. This was followed by a reported $20 million deal with Spotify in December 2020 for podcasts under Archewell Audio. Their Netflix docuseries, 'Harry & Meghan,' premiered in December 2022, becoming a significant hit for the platform. Meghan's podcast, 'Archetypes,' launched in August 2022 and topped Spotify charts in several countries, even winning a People's Choice Award.

However, these partnerships have seen significant shifts. In June 2023, Archewell Audio and Spotify mutually agreed to end their partnership after only one season of 'Archetypes.' The Netflix deal, initially an exclusive output deal, was downgraded to a less lucrative 'first-look deal' in August 2025, giving Netflix first refusal on projects but allowing the couple to seek other platforms. Meghan's lifestyle series, 'With Love, Meghan,' which premiered on Netflix in March 2025, reportedly saw declining viewership for its second season and did not receive a full third season order. In early March 2026, Netflix also ended its equity partnership with Meghan's lifestyle brand, 'As Ever,' which had launched in 2025 (initially as American Riviera Orchard). Reports indicated Netflix had heavily financed the brand's initial stages.

Despite these changes, Meghan Markle is actively pushing forward with her entrepreneurial and media endeavors. Her 'As Ever' brand, now operating independently, is a primary focus for 2026, with plans for a cookbook release in early 2026 and an expansion into more lifestyle products like wine and homeware, and potential international shipping to Europe and Asia. In March 2025, she announced a new podcast series, 'Confessions of a Female Founder,' with Lemonada Media. Archewell Productions announced in March 2026 that it would develop a new fictional series about the world of polo for Netflix, alongside other multi-platform projects. Public appearances in early 2026 include attending the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in January, the NBA All-Star Game in February, and the Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles. The Duchess is also scheduled to headline a luxury wellness retreat in Sydney, Australia, from April 17-19, 2026, as part of a joint trip with Prince Harry for various engagements, though this trip has faced some public criticism regarding costs and security.

Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, continues her defamation lawsuit against the Duchess, attempting to revive the case in September 2025 after an initial dismissal in March 2024. Meanwhile, the couple restructured their charitable arm at the end of 2025, renaming Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, shifting to a fiscal sponsorship model to expand their global philanthropic endeavors as a family.