Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s lucrative multi-million-pound book deal with Penguin Random House has reportedly “quietly dissipated,” marking another setback for the Sussexes’ media endeavors. The deal, initially valued at £16.2 million ($20 million), was signed in 2021, but recent reports suggest it has fallen apart.
According to Page Six, the high-profile agreement has faded from existence without public acknowledgment. Speaking on Talk TV, royal expert Kinsey Schofield elaborated on the situation, referencing a Vanity Fair article that has stirred additional controversy about the couple.
“Page Six is reporting that Harry and Meghan’s $20 million deal with Penguin Random House seems to have quietly dissipated, and that is the story,” Schofield explained. The Vanity Fair article also highlighted whispers of a theoretical pitch involving Meghan Markle.
The pitch allegedly centered on the potential value of a book if the couple were ever to divorce, according to Schofield. She clarified, “Vanity Fair is clear and communicating the fact that this is a theoretical pitch that someone on Meghan’s team was making: ‘If there’s ever a divorce, how much do you think this book would be worth to you?’ They were very clear on that.”
The fallout has prompted questions about the Sussexes’ work ethic and collaboration skills. Schofield pointed out that Vanity Fair explored whether these factors played a role in the deal’s collapse. “Their work ethic is incredibly questionable, their collaboration skills are not so strong. Is that potentially why Penguin Random House no longer has a deal with them?” she added.
The initial deal yielded Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare, released in January 2023. The book caused a media frenzy, delving into his struggles with royal life and his family. It was widely speculated that Meghan Markle might follow up with a book of her own, potentially as explosive as Harry’s memoir. However, with the reported dissolution of the deal, those plans now appear uncertain.
This development adds to ongoing challenges for Harry and Meghan, whose recent ventures, including their Spotify deal, have also faced significant setbacks. Despite their high-profile brand, the couple has faced mounting criticism over their output and media strategy.
As of now, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle has publicly commented on the reported termination of their book deal. Whether this marks a pause in their publishing ambitions or a complete derailment remains to be seen.