Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell report on influencers sparks questions about hypocrisy

Prince Harry, Meghan land in trouble over latest Archewell statement

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again at the centre of a fresh firestorm, as critics accuse the ex-royal couple of “breathtaking hypocrisy” after their Archewell Foundation released a scathing new report condemning “profit-driven social media influencers” — despite the pair themselves cashing in over £91 million through their own lucrative Hollywood partnerships.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 with promises to live “a life of service,” now find themselves accused of preaching values they don’t practice, prompting a new wave of backlash from royal observers, media commentators, and even some of their own supporters.

💥 ‘Their Words Don’t Match Their Wallets’ — Critics Furious Over “Holier-Than-Thou” Report

Archewell’s latest publication — intended to highlight the dangers of social media culture and the rise of online personalities who “prioritize profit over purpose” — has instead backfired spectacularly.

Within hours of its release, social media lit up with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright mockery.

Royal expert Jack Royston didn’t mince words, saying Archewell’s message “chimes with numerous major criticisms of the couple throughout their post-royal lives.” Translation? Harry and Meghan lecturing others about chasing money is like… well, you know the joke.

“It’s the irony that nobody can ignore,” another commentator wrote. “They’re attacking influencers for making money — while selling their own brand harder than anyone.”

😬 £91 MILLION AND COUNTING: Critics Say Sussexes Are “Influencers in Designer Clothing”

Let’s talk numbers — because critics certainly are.

Since leaving royal life, Harry and Meghan have reportedly signed:

💰 A Netflix contract worth up to £75 million

🎙️ A Spotify deal reportedly worth £18 million

💼 A series of speaking engagements, collaborations, and production agreements

All under the banner of promoting “authentic storytelling” and “global compassion.”

Meanwhile, Archewell’s report warns against “the dangers of monetizing influence” — a sentence that sent the internet into collective laughter.

“This is influencer culture 101,” one X user posted. “Except when Meghan does it, she calls it ‘advocacy.’”

📸 Meghan’s Instagram Comeback: “She Has to Make Money to Survive”

Adding extra gasoline to the drama, Meghan’s re-entry into social media — after years of insisting she had no interest in returning — has raised even more eyebrows.

A source close to the Duchess told reporters that Meghan “has to make money to survive.”

The line instantly went viral, prompting memes, side-eye emojis, and comments like:

“Survive… in their Montecito mansion?”

“Hard to take money-troubles seriously when your kombucha budget alone is someone else’s monthly rent.”

“The rebrand continues!”

Meghan’s Instagram revival is widely expected to support her new lifestyle ventures, rumored beauty lines, and her American Riviera Orchard project — a brand that critics say is built entirely on the fame she insists she left behind.

🔥 ‘DO AS WE SAY, NOT AS WE DO’ — The Internet Reacts

The wave of reactions online has been relentless, with many users calling the couple’s message “tone-deaf,” “performative,” and “laughably contradictory.”

One trending post read:

“Harry & Meghan criticizing influencers for making money is like a Michelin-star chef criticizing people for eating bread.”

Another blasted the statement as “classic Sussex spin,” adding:

“They’re not fighting influencer culture — they ARE influencer culture.”

Even some supporters admitted the timing “could not have been worse.”

👀 Hollywood Friends Keeping Quiet

Interestingly, the couple’s usual circle of celebrity allies — from Oprah to Tyler Perry — have stayed unusually silent. Perhaps they, too, sensed that stepping into this one would be… risky.

Industry insiders say Harry and Meghan are becoming increasingly aware of how their messaging is being received — but they remain determined to carve out their version of success, even if critics call it inconsistent.

“Hollywood is about brand-building,” a PR strategist explained. “But the Sussex brand often crashes directly into the Sussex messaging.”

🏰 Meanwhile, Back in Royal Land…

Across the Atlantic, palace insiders are reportedly “bemused but unsurprised” by the couple’s latest move.

One royal aide, speaking anonymously, said:

“It’s not the message that’s the problem. It’s the fact that they don’t seem to realise they’re describing themselves.”

Ouch.

Another insider added that the timing — coming just as King Charles and Princess Catherine continue facing health-related challenges — is “characteristically insensitive.”

Whether that’s true or just tabloid speculation, one thing’s clear: the drama never ends.

💣 WILL THIS DAMAGE THE SUSSEX BRAND?

Experts say yes — at least temporarily.

Royal commentator Emma Hawkins explained:

“Public messaging is all about consistency. When you call out ‘profit-driven influencers’ while running one of the highest-earning influencer-style brands in the world, people notice.”

Still, she adds that the Sussexes “won’t crumble.”

“Meghan is savvy. She knows controversy keeps her relevant. And Harry, whether he likes it or not, is a global name. They will ride this out — but the hypocrisy narrative is definitely sticking.”

🧨 THE BOTTOM LINE: A New Chapter in the Sussex Soap Opera

In the end, this is just another episode in the ongoing saga of Harry and Meghan versus… well, everyone.

Their Archewell report may have been intended to spark meaningful conversation, but instead it has:

reignited accusations of duplicity

fueled another round of online backlash

drawn renewed attention to their mega-million-dollar deals

and added more tension to their already fraught reputation

For a couple who wanted a quieter life, they’ve certainly mastered one thing: staying in the headlines.

And judging by the way this story is blowing up, one thing’s for sure — the next chapter isn’t far away.