Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s relationship with their book publisher, Penguin Random House, is reportedly on shaky ground over the couple’s alleged “money demands.”
The previous working royals have taken successful to their purse over time, losing multi-million-dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify.
A royal expert has also claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan are actually at an “unlucky crossroads” as Meghan’s ambitions are “at odds” with what Harry wants.
Prince Harry And Meghan’s Publisher Reportedly ‘Fielding Near Weekly Calls’ From The Sussexes’ Camp
Harry and Meghan are seemingly scrambling to shove up more money after what has turned out to be a treacherous time of their business enterprise.
In response to NewsNation, Penguin Random House, the powerhouse behind Harry’s 2023 blockbuster memoir “Spare,” is considering cutting ties with them as they will’t provide you with recent ideas for a book.
The initial deal, price around $40 million, was for a multi-book deal, and while “Spare” was a worldwide success, selling greater than 6 million copies, Harry hasn’t put pen to paper for one more book but has allegedly been requesting extra money even after collecting $20 million for his memoir.
“The executives at Penguin Random House are fielding near weekly calls from Camp Sussex asking for extra money,” an industry source told the news outlet. “They think there are royalties, but there aren’t. Penguin overpaid and, with marketing, printing, and other costs, even with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, they may never earn out or get royalties.”
Although the publisher understands with them for asking, one other source said, “Harry has a fundamental disconnect to the concept of cash, and positively that cash can, indeed, run out.”
The Duke And Duchess Allegedly Left The Publisher ‘Financially Burned’
Because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit their royal roles in 2020 to start out a brand new life abroad, they’ve tried their hands at several money-making ventures, including Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever.
They did well with just a few, particularly with their “Harry & Meghan” documentary, in addition to the primary installment of Meghan’s cooking show, “With Love, Meghan.” Nonetheless, other creative business ventures didn’t measure as much as expectations.
Actually, reports suggest that the previous “Suits” actress submitted no less than 2 proposals for a book of hers to Penguin Random House, however the publishing giant had it “turned down,” per NewsNation. The proposed books were supposedly centered on leadership and philanthropy, in addition to a “divorce” book.
“Penguin Random House is finished with (the Sussexes.) It’ll never publish one other book by them. They were (financially) burned,” the source explained.
Prince Harry And Meghan Have Struggled With Business
The alleged rift comes at a really sensitive time for Harry and Meghan, as lots of their business ventures have suffered in recent times.
The couple initially signed a $100 million take care of Netflix in 2020, however the streaming giant announced in July 2025 that it could not renew the deal.
Soon after, they prolonged their partnership with Netflix through a multi-year, “first-look” deal via their company, Archewell Productions, but that arrangement seems to have also stalled as the corporate is exhausted with their perceived pattern of selling repackaged stories about their exit from royal life.
In response to Variety, insiders alleged, amongst other things, that Archewell Productions exhibited “poor communication” of their dealings with the corporate. Some even claimed that boss Ted Sarandos doesn’t need to have anything to do with them, although a source has denied the claims.
The steaming giant was reportedly blindsided by their decision to take a seat with Oprah Winfrey for a tell-all interview, in addition to Harry’s decision to write down his memoir, suggesting it resulted within the dismal performance on their final contest.
Royal Writer Says The Duchess’s Ambitions Are ‘At Odds’ With What Her Husband Wants
Royal biographer Tom Bower has suggested that Harry and Meghan are facing challenges of their marriage following their exit from royal life.
In a recent interview on TalkTV, host Mark Dolan suggested that Bower was “unforgiving” of the couple in an upcoming book in regards to the Sussexes. He then asked him if Meghan’s ambitions are “at odds with what Harry wants?”
“Yes,” Bower said, per Express. “Harry is now the fifth in line in succession, and also you’re a member of the royal family; your ambition isn’t clearly material.”
He continued, “He had all the cash he needed. He had all the celebrity he needed. He had all of the applause he needed.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Are ‘At An Unlucky Crossroads’
Bower further claimed that Meghan sought fame and international recognition, but her recent inability to earn a living goes to take its toll.
He alleged: “The issue is she will be able to’t earn any money anymore – and now finds herself at an unlucky crossroads where she will be able to’t raise money by means of work anymore, apart from this trip to Australia, and desires to search out a brand new way for the remaining of her life.”
The royal writer’s remarks come after Harry and Meghan slammed him for making “deranged” claims about them in his upcoming book.