Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent JP Morgan event proves to be a disaster. Can Netflix provide a respite?
It’s done, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did their first gig at 1 Hotel, Miami (can’t call it an engagement anymore.) Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke at JP Morgan’s Alternative Investment Summit in Miami, Florida.
On Thursday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a back door entry at the JP Morgan event. No pictures have surfaced so far but later, they were seen dining with Jennifer Lopez and her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez. Reportedly, Meghan introduced Harry at the event while her keynote was dedicated to how much she loves her husband. Harry, on the other hand, spoke to a house full of bankers about childhood trauma, mental health and being in therapy. They received close to $ 1 Million for speaking at the event.
But the couple’s first outing is being touted as major PR Disaster.
It is to be noted that JP Morgan has spent around £152billion on Arctic oil and gas explorations via various firms that carry out fracking. This goes against Harry and Meghan’s eco-warrior/climate change volunteer image where they have commented in the past that “fossil fuel emissions were jeopardizing.”
Now that’s bad, isn’t it? Bedding JP Morgan came at its own cost. Meghan should have seen that coming.
Harry and Meghan’s Happily Ever After
Last month, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their official duties as full time Royals. They cited ‘British racism,’ invasion of their ‘privacy’ and their inability to maintain a stiff upper lip about the whole situation.
Two years ago when the couple got married it was the perfect ‘happily ever after’ for us all. A commoner weds an actual prince! But they don’t tell you what happens after a happily ever after, do they?
The British Monarchy is heavily criticized for closing their doors on the outsiders. Over the years we have seen many royal family members’ lives being distraught over it (else please refer to The Crown.) So, when Meghan Markle, an American actress, a divorcee, a feminist woman of colour joined the core group of British Monarchy – it was admirably dream come true for Black Britons and people around the world.
Since, Meghan has been accused of breaking many royal protocols; her dress tag, choice of nail colour, crossing her legs, to display of her pregnancy – all have been criticized by the media who is usually kinder to her other royal counterpart the Duchess of Cambridge. The British press fueled the situation with rumors of the family feud, an unhappy Queen, spat between the brothers and more.
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In an ITV documentary, made by trusted journalist Tom Brady titled Harry & Meghan: An African Journey –The couple accepted that the life behind the scenes is hard. And we all know how hard it can get. Remember, when Princess Diana came as an outsider who could speak her mind, into the Royal family. It was fodder for British press who Prince Harry ended up blaming for her death in the said documentary.
Megxit: The Royal Business Plan
Come Megxit Harry and Meghan’s announcement clearly stated that they will work to be ‘financially independent’ and will adopt a ‘progressive new role.’ American entertainment website TMZ released a video from The Lion King’s premier where Harry was clearly seen and heard pitching his wife Meghan to Disney Chief Robert Iger for a voice over job.
The reports suggest that the voiceover fund will be donated to Without Borders, an organization that tracks and protect elephants from poaching. In other news, the couple turned down the opportunity to present the Best Film award at the recently held Oscar 2020. The industry is enticed with the idea of Markle returning to the small screen in no time now.
But is it possible? Guess not.
It’s too beneath royals to work from the front. While Guest Editing, British Vogue’s September 2019 issue with editor Edward Enninful speculations were rife to put Meghan on the cover. Instead came a cast of brilliant female changemakers on the cover that month themed, ‘Forces for Change.’ Meghan was nowhere on it.
The Obama Revenue Model
The Royal watchers and Professional PR’s guess that an ‘Obama model’ suits Harry and Meghan Markle better.
Since leaving the White House the Obama family has been very busy. Speaking engagements, Book royalties, production deal with Netflix, government pension, investment incomes all adds up to the power couples portfolio. Post White House Barack Obama alone has been paid $400,000 for public speaking events.
Post Megxit, for Harry and Meghan Markle, this kind of revenue system makes more sense. A spin they tried at Miami last week and fell flat on their face. But for the couple they already have a couple of projects going on along with maintaining their patronages and continued philanthropic work.
Prince Harry is already working with Oprah to produce a documentary series about mental health which will be aired on Apple TV+.
And recently, Netflix has shown ‘interest’ in working with the Sussexes. British Tabloid, the Daily Mail reported during an event in LA, Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, when asked about a potential deal responded, ‘Who wouldn’t be interested? Yes, sure.’
Now, this would be truly following in the footsteps of their good friends, Barack and Michelle Obama also, a smarter move for the young couple.
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