When Harry and Meghan left royal life behind, they promised the world a future filled with freedom, purpose, and success on their own terms. To many, it looked like the ultimate power move — a prince and his actress wife carving out a new empire in Hollywood, backed by multi-million-dollar contracts, celebrity friends, and global recognition. But four years later, their grand vision seems to have stumbled into harsh reality, earning them a new and biting nickname: The UnSussexfuls.
.jpg)
The signs of trouble are everywhere. Their Spotify deal — once touted as the start of Meghan’s podcast empire — ended abruptly after just one season, with industry insiders calling it “underwhelming.” Their Netflix projects, while initially headline-grabbing, failed to secure long-term momentum. Beyond their explosive docuseries and Harry’s Heart of Invictus documentary, little else has made a lasting impact. And in a city like Los Angeles, where the next big thing changes daily, fading relevance is the greatest danger of all.
Part of the problem lies in expectations. When the Sussexes arrived in California, Hollywood expected a wave of groundbreaking content — bold storytelling, global campaigns, and captivating projects. Instead, much of what they delivered leaned heavily on their royal past, the very life they claimed to have left behind. Critics argue that without the monarchy as their central talking point, Harry and Meghan struggle to prove their star power stands on its own.
Public opinion hasn’t helped. In the UK, they remain divisive figures, accused of cashing in on family drama. In America, sympathy that once surged after their Oprah interview has cooled, replaced by fatigue and skepticism. Even Hollywood elites, who initially welcomed them with open arms, have become quieter in their support. Some whisper that the Sussexes misjudged the entertainment industry — a world far less forgiving than the palace they escaped.
Still, it would be wrong to count them out entirely. Meghan has been carefully positioning herself for a return to Hollywood, signing with top talent agency WME and working behind the scenes on new projects. Harry remains passionate about his Invictus Games and advocacy work. The couple still has the global name recognition that most celebrities would envy. But name recognition alone won’t guarantee the empire they once envisioned.
Being called The UnSussexfuls may sting, but it also captures the reality of their current chapter: a pair caught between the dreams they sold and the results they’ve managed to deliver. Whether they rise again or fade into cautionary-tale status will depend on their next move — and in Hollywood, second chances rarely come easy.