Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Need to Rethink their Business Strategy to Salvage their Reputation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been in the public eye for years, but their latest business venture, a documentary called 'Cookie Queens,' has failed to impress. According to Boxoffice Pro, the film made a mere $735 per screen on its opening weekend and has since grossed a total of $513,148 domestically. This disappointing result has sparked fresh concerns about the couple's business acumen.

The problem lies in the fact that Harry and Meghan have been trying to establish themselves as authorities in every category simultaneously. They have attempted to build a reputation as producers, podcasters, and even cookbook authors, but their efforts have been met with skepticism by the public. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube channel 'Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,' believes that this approach is misguided. 'When you try to establish authority in every category simultaneously, you can end up establishing authority in none of them,' Schofield explains. 'Pick a lane, become good at it and allow success to rebuild credibility.'

In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Schofield offered her advice to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on how to salvage their reputation. 'I would tell them to disappear professionally for a little while, dramatically reduce the number of announcements, and identify one genuinely compelling project with experienced people around them who know how to execute it,' Schofield said. 'Reputation recovery is possible, but I don't think it comes from another rebrand or another glossy publicity campaign. I would recommend the opposite. Less talking, fewer announcements and more execution.'

Schofield's comments highlight a crucial point: success is one of the most effective reputation-management strategies in Hollywood. By producing a single, high-quality project that resonates with audiences, Harry and Meghan can change the conversation around their brand. As Schofield noted, 'Make something undeniable and suddenly the conversation changes.' This approach has worked for many celebrities in the past, including actors, musicians, and filmmakers who have reinvented themselves through a single, critically acclaimed project.

Markle, 45, and Harry, 41, have been trying to establish their credibility through various business ventures, including podcasting, their Netflix cooking show 'With Love, Meghan,' and launching their As Ever brand. However, their efforts have been met with limited success. The Spotify podcasting deal ended in 2023, making the couple a whopping $20 million after only one season of Markle's show 'Archetypes.' Netflix also ended their partnership with Markle in March. These high-profile failures have raised questions about the couple's business acumen and their ability to execute successful projects.

Celebrities often struggle to transition from one industry to another, and Harry and Meghan are no exception. While they have the name recognition and charisma to succeed in the entertainment industry, they lack the experience and expertise needed to execute complex projects. According to Schofield, 'They need to stop treating their celebrity as the product and start creating products strong enough to survive without their celebrity.' This means hiring experienced professionals, such as directors, writers, and producers, who can bring their expertise to the table and help the couple produce high-quality content.

The 'Cookie Queens' documentary, which follows four young Girl Scouts during the intense cookie-selling season, is a prime example of this approach. Despite its commercial failure, the film has sparked important conversations about the girl scout experience and the value of community involvement. However, the film's success is largely due to the efforts of the filmmakers, rather than the celebrity status of Harry and Meghan. This is a crucial distinction, and one that the couple needs to learn from.

In the end, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's reputation is in danger of suffering irreparable damage due to their lack of business acumen and their inability to execute successful projects. As Schofield noted, 'There are only so many times you can tell audiences why you left the royal family.' The couple needs to prove that they are more than just a rebrand or a publicity stunt; they need to show the public that they can produce high-quality content that resonates with audiences. By doing so, they can rebuild their credibility and salvage their reputation.

It remains to be seen whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take Schofield's advice and rethink their business strategy. However, one thing is clear: their current approach is not working. Instead of treating their celebrity status as a product, they need to focus on creating content that stands on its own merit. Only then can they hope to rebuild their reputation and establish themselves as credible actors in the entertainment industry.