On August 11, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced a new multi-year partnership with Netflix.
As part of the deal, Markle debuted Season 2 of her series, With Love, Meghan, on August 26. The eight-part show features the Duchess in the kitchen preparing dishes while engaging in lively conversations with celebrity guests.
While Meghan takes the spotlight, royal expert Jennie Bond believes Harry intentionally chose not to appear on screen, allowing both of them to pursue their own ventures.
Why Harry Stayed Out of Meghan’s Show
According to Bond, Harry wanted to give his wife space to thrive in her own lane while focusing on projects that feel more natural to him.
She explained to The Mirror, “I think she’s \[Markle] probably feeling a lot stronger now back in her home country and her own patch, and talking her own sort of California speak. She’s better rooted and happier and dealing with things in a more resilient fashion because of where she was.”
As for Harry, Bond added, “Harry has taken a conscious step back and this is Meghan’s thing…He’s doing things which are quasi royalty, the sort of stuff he was comfortable doing in his previous life.”
Harry’s Complicated Relationship with Cameras
Bond also suggested Harry may find it uncomfortable to appear frequently in front of cameras, given his long and difficult history with the media.
She said, “It’s an odd thing to have tried to do, make television programs, be in front \[of] or even behind the camera, be associated with cameras in any way because he hates cameras… So I think he’s much better off campaigning on the things he feels strongly about.”
She also emphasized the importance of the Sussexes protecting their children as they continue navigating the spotlight.
Meghan’s Netflix Series: Light but Admirable
When it comes to Meghan’s new project, Bond acknowledged that it might not appeal to everyone but praised her willingness to try new things.
“It’s a lifestyle program, it’s light, it’s frothy, it brings a bit of fun, a little bit of joy…Making things look presentable is an essential part of cookery. I don’t think we should keep knocking her for that. The show is what it is, it’s not pretending to be anything else.”
Bond also remarked that Meghan appears to be handling her business ventures more professionally than before, calling her efforts “reasonably good” and “fairly professional.”
The Couple’s Reported ‘Professional Divorce’
Harry’s absence from Meghan’s series may also reflect their reported nine-month ‘professional divorce.’ According to insiders, this period allowed the Duke to focus on shaping his own brand, independent from Meghan’s projects.
As GB News reported, a source claimed, “Harry is unkindly described as the ‘spare’ to Meghan’s endeavors. In reality, he has been giving her the space to flourish. Now it is his time to throw himself into exciting new work.”
This separation is said to mark a shift for the couple, moving away from relying solely on informal advisers and toward building more distinct, individual paths for their public and commercial roles.