Prince Harry ‘loving the California lifestyle’ says insider
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have struck deals with Netflix and Spotify to make shows and podcasts since quitting royal duties and moving to America last year. Brand expert Eric Schiffer claimed the couple have upset some people by “cashing out” on their royal connections.
Mr Schiffer made the comments as he discussed reports Meghan and Harry will not return to social media.
The brand expert told Insider: “If they believe in their choices, why aren’t they comfortable putting themselves out there?
“Are they sending a message that they can’t bear to hear what we have to say?
“Both of which is a death trap for a brand that is trying to be an entertainment brand, because entertainment at its core today requires interactivity.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry face being rejected for ‘cashing out’ on Royal Family (Image: GETTY)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have struck deals with Netflix and Spotify to make shows and podcasts since quitting royal duties and moving to America last year (Image: GETTY)
“If you’re trying to stay alive with the 11-40-year-olds, you’ve got to be front and centre on social.”
Mr Schiffer suggested the Sussexes may decide not to return to social media due to the “significant mixed reaction” from royal fans.
He said: “Many people look at them as having disrespected the monarchy by cashing out on the halo of their forebearers, and that’s not acceptable to millions of people around the world.”
day Times reported earlier this month that Meghan and Harry would no longer use social media.
READ MORE: Meghan and Harry could snub UK return as they are ‘content’ with US
Brand expert Eric Schiffer claimed the couple have upset some people by “cashing out” on their royal connections (Image: GETTY)
A source close to the couple told the newspaper they had “no plans” to use social media for their Archewell Foundation and were “very unlikely” to return in a personal capacity.
The pair were forced to ditch their Sussex Royal Instagram, which had 10 million followers, when they ended royal duties.
Former actress Meghan also had 1.9 million Instagram followers, 350,000 Twitter followers and 800,000 likes on her Facebook before she shut her accounts when she married Harry.
But in a recent interview Harry hinted he and Meghan could one day return to social media.
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Mr Schiffer suggested the Sussexes may decide not to return to social media due to the “significant mixed reaction” from royal fans (Image: GETTY)
He told US publication Fast Company: “We will revisit social media when it feels right for us – perhaps when we see more meaningful commitments to change or reform – but right now we’ve thrown much of our energy into learning about this space and how we can help.”
The Sussexes have previously spoken out on the issue of social media.
In October, Meghan opened up about the “almost unsurvivable” online abuse she experienced.
The ex-Suits star told the Teenage Therapy podcast she was left feeling “isolated” and “othered” while pregnant with Archie due to the trolling.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: A romantic timeline (Image: EXPRESS)
Meghan said: “I’m told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female.
“Now, eight months of that I wasn’t even visible – I was on maternity leave or with a baby…
“If people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging… That’s so big, you can’t even think of what that feels like.”
And during a virtual summit for American magazine Fortune that month, Meghan said social media users were like “people addicted to drugs”.
In an opinion piece Fast Company in August, Harry said: “The digital landscape is unwell.”
He added that social media had “stoked and created … a crisis of hate, a crisis of health and a crisis of truth”.
