As questions mount about the future of the Sussex brand and what it means for Prince Harry, industry insiders have weighed in on Meghan Markle’s recent split from Netflix. Last week it was announced that Meghan’s brand would be operating independently, just 11 months after her brand was partnered with Netflix. Since then, there have been conflicting reports as to why the collaboration ended, with both sides offering different explanations, according to Express .The source also seemed to suggest that Meghan felt “hindered” by Netflix and was relieved to be on her own. However, a source in Los Angeles told the Daily Mail that Netflix was “not happy” with the performance of “As Ever.”Speaking about other shows on the streaming service, they added: “It doesn’t quite match up with Squidward or Stranger Things or Bridgerton as much as they hoped.”Communications guru and PR expert Mayah Riaz now told The Mirror: “It’s really interesting because when you see two very different narratives surrounding the same split, it’s usually a sign that both parties are trying to manage the optics. In a high-profile partnership like this, perception is almost as important as the deal itself. Netflix will naturally want to position this decision as strategic, and Meghan’s team will certainly want to see it as her taking control of her brand, rather than being thrown out.”“From a PR perspective, Sussex brands have always relied heavily on momentum and narrative. Looking back to the early years, there was a strong global curiosity about them. Now we’re seeing a shift where both the public and the platforms are asking a simpler question: What is the actual product?”Speaking about the Sussexes as a couple and as a brand, she added: “I personally think the bigger issue for the Sussexes is that the element of intrigue that once surrounded them is not as strong as it once was. This is important because attention is currency, and attention spans can change quickly.“To keep their brands strong, these projects need to be bigger than the headlines. One thing is for sure, though: In the world of celebrity PR, when both parties are eager to explain a breakup, it means the story behind the scenes is more complicated than either version of the story suggests.”
