Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have captured the world’s attention—not just with their high-profile personal lives, but with their ambitious ventures into business and media. From lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify to memoirs, podcasts, and lifestyle brands, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have embarked on an audacious journey to redefine themselves outside the monarchy. Yet despite the headlines and fanfare, their commercial endeavors in the United States have been anything but smooth sailing.

Recently, reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel, known for her time on Real Housewives of New York City and as the founder of Skinnygirl, offered a candid assessment of why Harry and Meghan’s American business ventures have struggled to gain traction. Her critique, while blunt, has sparked conversation across social media and entertainment circles, reigniting debates about the couple’s post-royal careers.

Frankel suggested that the Sussexes’ failures are not a matter of personal shortcomings but rather a consequence of overambition. “I think the truth is, like Meghan and Harry, I bet they’re good, decent people,” Frankel said in an interview with US Weekly. “They didn’t want the fame, but they didn’t want to give up the lifestyle, because it’s expensive. Now they’re living in Montecito, California, and it’s hard for things to land.”

Her comments highlight a critical challenge: the couple’s desire to maintain a luxurious lifestyle while simultaneously launching multiple high-stakes business projects. Montecito, a community known for its sprawling estates and celebrity residents, comes with an enormous cost of living. For Harry and Meghan, Frankel argued, this pressure has contributed to a scramble to secure lucrative deals quickly—sometimes before the timing, strategy, or market readiness was ideal.

Indeed, the Sussexes’ portfolio is impressively diverse. They signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix to produce content through their media company Archewell Productions. They also partnered with Spotify for podcasts, while Meghan has developed her own brand and ventured into digital content. Harry’s memoir, a revealing account of his life in the royal family, became a global bestseller, drawing massive attention. But even with these high-profile projects, the success has been inconsistent. Some deals have been downsized, others renegotiated, and a few simply failed to meet expectations.

Frankel pinpointed the problem as a combination of overextension and a compressed timeline. “They hurried to secure all these different deals because they realized there was a certain window of opportunity,” she said. “And business is really hard. It’s hard to land all of those things. If it was so easy, everybody would be good at doing it.”

She further acknowledged the couple’s personal commitment to one another. “I respect that relationship and that loyalty to each other, and I just don’t think it’s that easy,” Frankel added. Her comments underline an important distinction: Harry and Meghan’s struggles are not necessarily about talent or character but reflect the harsh realities of the business world, particularly for newcomers navigating the competitive U.S. market.

Timing, Frankel emphasized, has been a key factor. By moving quickly to sign multiple deals almost simultaneously, Harry and Meghan may have inadvertently diluted their focus. Business, she explained, requires careful planning, strategy, and patience. The Sussexes’ attempts to juggle media production, brand launches, and personal projects at once may have stretched their resources and energy too thin.

Critics have also noted that the couple’s high visibility and celebrity status may work against them. The public’s fascination with Harry and Meghan can be a double-edged sword: while it ensures media coverage and initial attention, it also raises expectations and invites scrutiny. Every misstep—whether a delayed release, a canceled project, or a lukewarm reception—becomes magnified. In such a high-pressure environment, even minor setbacks can feel like major failures.

Despite these challenges, the Sussexes continue to pursue ambitious projects. They recently announced an “extended multi-year first look” deal with Netflix, signaling a commitment to long-term media production. Meghan is reportedly expanding her lifestyle brand, while Harry is exploring additional content opportunities and philanthropic initiatives. Their resilience demonstrates an understanding that failure in business is not final, but rather part of a learning curve for anyone operating in a competitive, high-stakes arena.

Observers have pointed out that Harry and Meghan are not alone in facing difficulties when transitioning from fame to business. Many celebrities, regardless of talent or ambition, encounter obstacles when attempting to convert public attention into sustainable commercial success. Frankel’s perspective underscores that celebrity status and good intentions alone are rarely sufficient to ensure profitability or market impact.

In essence, Frankel’s critique offers both a cautionary tale and a sympathetic analysis. The Sussexes’ challenges serve as a reminder of the complexities inherent in business, particularly when undertaken in multiple domains simultaneously. While fans may debate whether Harry and Meghan are “failing” or simply learning, one fact remains clear: their ventures illustrate the difficulties of blending personal ambition, public scrutiny, and financial sustainability.

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to navigate the U.S. business landscape, the world will be watching closely. Will they refine their strategies, focus their efforts, and finally achieve lasting success? Or will Montecito’s costly lifestyle and the pressure to deliver high-profile projects continue to create setbacks? The answers are unfolding in real time, offering a dramatic narrative worthy of media attention and public debate alike.

In the end, Harry and Meghan’s journey is more than a story about celebrity business—it’s a case study in ambition, resilience, and the realities of turning fame into sustained commercial achievement. With the stakes high and the eyes of the world watching, the Sussexes’ American experiment remains one of the most closely monitored celebrity ventures of the decade.