Royal Controversy Grows as Prince Harry Steps Into Meghan’s Business Spotlight

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has sparked fresh controversy after appearing in a promotional video for his wife Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand — a move some royal fans interpreted as costing him a once-cherished royal title. The short clip, shot at the couple’s Montecito, California estate, features Harry casually working on his laptop while Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, hands him a box of chocolates from her As Ever collection.

In the video, Harry responds warmly to Meghan’s introduction of the product, saying, “Oh yes, please” before ending with “Thank you, love you.” The seemingly affectionate moment was meant to highlight one of the new As Ever chocolates, but instead it triggered debate online about how far the couple has moved from traditional royal roles.

Some social media users reacted negatively, claiming Harry’s involvement in a commercial venture showed a shift from his former royal identity. One critic wrote that he is no longer “the very popular prince of the realm,” while another sarcastically said, “Things must be getting desperate if Meghan Markle’s roping Prince Harry in for an As Ever promo.”

Lucky Prince Harry. Everything we need to order, he gets personally delivered free of charge by his wife from As Ever. pic.twitter.com/1omSoBTI1A

— Megharry (@Jeremia41333132) February 6, 2026

The Sussexes’ move comes amid broader efforts by Meghan to grow her lifestyle brand, which includes artisanal food items and collaborations. Originally launched in early 2025 under a different corporate name, the brand was rebranded as As Ever ahead of Meghan’s Netflix series debut.

Royal commentators have frequently tied the couple’s post-royal career choices to their ongoing efforts to build a media and business empire in California. Experts point out that Meghan’s entrepreneurial direction has often outshone Harry’s public profile since the couple stepped back from full-time royal duties in 2020 — a moment widely referred to as “Megxit”.

Critics argue that Harry’s participation in promotional content may blur the line between personal branding and commercialism. British pundits have suggested that Meghan is building a lifestyle empire that leans heavily on royal cachet — even as the couple no longer uses formal royal styling in public ventures, per agreements from their 2020 exit.

Some royal observers have even noted tension points between Markle’s ambitious business moves and traditional expectations of royal comportment. In past commentary, one UK expert described the brand’s portrayal as “a deliberate attempt to forge an American lifestyle ‘princess’ brand,” adding that such commercialization could irritate royal traditionalists.

For Harry, the ongoing challenge remains balancing life outside formal monarchy with maintaining relevance in global media while supporting his family. As the Sussex brand evolves, their strategy continues to face passionate debate from fans, critics and royal analysts alike.