Five years have passed since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals and moved to North America.
After a brief stay in Canada, the couple settled in California, establishing a permanent residence in the upscale Santa Barbara neighborhood of Montecito with their two children.
Despite appearances, the Sussexes encountered setbacks in their attempt to rebrand themselves as American media moguls.
Half a Decade as the Duke and Duchess of California
Despite speculation, there are no immediate plans for Harry and Meghan to return to the UK.
However, even their biggest supporters acknowledge the challenges they faced in their media mogul aspirations.
As their first significant anniversary in America approaches, Vanity Fair takes an in-depth look at Harry and Meghan’s half-decade in SoCal, revealing that things did not go according to plan.
While Harry and Meghan were not interviewed for the piece, numerous sources who collaborated with the couple on media projects were consulted.
The Podcast Flop
One of the most notable failures for the Sussexes was the cancellation of Meghan’s podcast after just one season.
Insiders suggest that the podcast was doomed from the beginning as Harry and Meghan lacked a clear direction for the project.
Harry’s idea of interviewing “sociopaths” like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Mark Zuckerberg was not feasible.
After the initial premise failed to impress, Harry lost interest in the podcasting process.
Comments from Spotify executive Bill Simmons indicate the disappointment with the value from the partnership, making another deal unlikely.
Keeping Up Appearances
Unlike popular podcasts known for their authenticity, Meghan was reluctant to deviate from a more polished approach.
Episodes with edgy topics were watered down, frustrating some involved in the production process.
Despite high expectations, Meghan’s reluctance to engage in candid discussions led to a shift away from the original concept.
