Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to be divided over how much visibility their children should have as they attempt to steady their public profile and commercial ventures in the United States.
Since stepping back from royal duties, the Sussexes have spent the past six years building what has often been described as their post-royal “Sussex empire” in the celebrity-filled enclave of Montecito, California. Throughout that time, both Harry and Meghan—vocal advocates for online safety—have made protecting their children’s privacy a priority.
However, a source now claims that Meghan is rethinking that stance as she looks for ways to revive interest in her work and reconnect with audiences.
Struggles With Media and Brand Projects
According to the insider, Meghan has been “scrambling for ways to build her audience” following reports that her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, was dropped after two seasons due to disappointing ratings.
Her lifestyle brand, As Ever, has also faced a rocky launch since debuting in early 2026. While the brand’s initial limited and seasonal releases—such as jams and chocolates launched in early February—sold out quickly, later product drops have reportedly failed to maintain the same momentum. Some insiders have suggested sales were slower than expected.
Speculation intensified in January after a viral website glitch appeared to show large quantities of unsold inventory, with estimates suggesting stock potentially worth up to USD$20 million sitting in warehouses.
“Meghan’s in salvage mode right now, but she’s desperately trying to put a positive spin on this setback,” an insider told New Idea.
A Shift in Strategy
The source said Meghan plans to continue producing “holiday specials” for Netflix, which she is “framing as an opportunity for her to do quality-over-quantity work” while she focuses on rebuilding other parts of the As Ever brand.
At the same time, the insider claimed Meghan has been “advised” that boosting her public image may involve weaving her children more visibly into her narrative, particularly through content centered on “modern parenting.”
Over the past year, carefully managed glimpses of Archie and Lilibet—always with their faces obscured—have appeared more frequently on As Ever platforms and Meghan’s Instagram.
Family, Philanthropy, and Public Life
In December, the Sussexes also hinted that their children could play a role in their charitable work after rebranding their foundation as Archewell Philanthropies.
“This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family,” a statement from Archewell Philanthropies said.
Since the beginning of the year, Meghan has reportedly been trying to “convince” Harry that Archie and Lilibet can “be part of their story, and their public face” without “crossing any lines.”
Harry’s Hesitation
Prince Harry, who experienced intense media exposure throughout his own childhood, is said to be uncomfortable with the idea and is “yet to agree” to Meghan’s proposal.
Meghan has reportedly pointed to the tightly controlled public appearances of Prince William and Princess Catherine, and their three children, as a possible template. The crucial difference, however, is security. As non-working royals, the Sussexes must personally fund their protection, unlike the Wales family, who receive publicly funded security.
“Harry may not yet agree, but Meghan knows that family life is the most relatable thing she has left to lean in to,” the insider said.
Amid broader restructuring, Meghan and Harry announced in January that their Parents Network initiative—launched in 2022 to protect children from online harm—would be transferred to the non-profit organization Parents Together.
Following a partnership announced in October, the Archewell Foundation granted Parents Together full operational control of the project, including its systems, branding, and creative assets. While the Sussexes are expected to remain involved in some form, their exact role has yet to be confirmed.
