When Meghan Markle stepped away from royal life in 2020, she promised to forge an independent path free from royal exploitation. Yet 2025 revealed a starkly different reality: the Duchess repeatedly flaunted her titles for commercial gain while defending an estranged relationship with her aging father, exposing a fundamental contradiction between her public persona and private priorities that shattered her carefully constructed narrative. The year’s timeline shows how it unfolded.
The Beach Post That Set The Tone
Meghan opened 2025 with a polished Instagram return, posting a beach video of herself writing “2025” in the sand on January 1, filmed by Prince Harry. It signaled headline ambitions tied to launches, Netflix releases, and brand expansion. Strategists dubbed it “Year of Meghan,” but insiders saw a relevance reset after 2024’s quiet. The follow-through soon looked far messier.
The Title She Would Not Release
When Meghan and Harry stepped back in January 2020, Buckingham Palace said they would retain titles but not use “HRH” publicly or exploit royal status commercially. In 2025, evidence mounted of Meghan using “Duchess of Sussex” strategically in multiple settings. Royal watchers framed it as independence messaging paired with prestige preservation. Could both claims hold at once?
The Brownstone Introduction Goes Viral
In November 2025, Harper’s Bazaar published an interview set at an Upper East Side brownstone. Journalist Kaitlyn Greenidge wrote: “When I enter, the house manager announces, ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’—even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house.” The audience-of-1 formality became an internet fixation. It suggested intention, not habit.
The Billionaire Friend Behind The Setting
Reporting tied the brownstone to Victoria Jackson, 70, a billionaire cosmetics mogul credited with building a $1 billion empire from early garage work. The relationship raised a fresh angle: sources said the Sussexes stayed rent-free at Jackson’s Beverly Hills mansion, her New York brownstone, and her Santa Barbara ranch. Independence started to look curated. The property details fueled louder doubts.
The Line That Lit Up Netflix Clips
At the March 2025 premiere of “With Love, Meghan,” Mindy Kaling called her “Meghan Markle,” and Meghan corrected her: “You keep saying ‘Meghan Markle.’ You know I’m Sussex now?” She said sharing the name with her children felt “meaningful.” Critics argued it undercut the idea she had moved past royal identity. The moment became replayable proof.
The HRH Card That Would Not Disappear
In April 2025, a gift basket Meghan sent to entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima resurfaced with a card signed “HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” paired with Meghan’s commercial jam products. Her team called it a “private gift,” but the post became public, blurring personal and promotional lines. Kinsey Schofield said: “It’s gaslighting for sure.” The styling reopened old promises.
A Lifestyle Show Meets A Harsh Wall
“With Love, Meghan” landed in March 2025 to bruising reviews. The Guardian called it “so pointless it might be the Sussexes’ last TV show” and labeled it “gormless lifestyle filler.” Variety described the 8-episode run as “an ego trip not worth taking.” The Hollywood Reporter cited missing vulnerability. IMDB ratings hovered around 56%. Netflix began reassessing what it was backing.
A Podcast That Could Not Sustain Momentum
Meghan launched “Confessions of a Female Founder” in March 2025, pitching herself as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. Guests included Sara Blakely and Cassandra Morales Thurswell. But after 12 episodes by June, Meghan announced an indefinite hiatus to focus elsewhere. The quick end reinforced a familiar critique: big debuts, short follow-through. The business story soon grew more complicated.
A Brand Name Meets A Trademark Reality Check
In February 2025, Meghan pivoted from “American Riviera Orchard” to “As Ever” after trademark problems. The USPTO rejected the original name as “primarily geographically descriptive,” citing Santa Barbara’s well-known nickname. Harry & David also protested, warning of confusion. Critics said months of promotion preceded basic legal clearance. The scramble made “seasoned entrepreneur” claims look thinner.
As Ever Runs Into New Roadblocks
“As Ever” faced more challenges in July 2025. The USPTO partially rejected the application, citing similarity to Chinese fashion brand ASEVER. Separately, the As Ever logo, a palm tree flanked by 2 hummingbirds, drew comparisons to the coat of arms of Porreres in Mallorca. The mayor noted the likeness but lacked budget to pursue it. Why were hurdles piling up so fast?
The Netflix Deal Quietly Steps Down
In June 2025, Netflix and the Sussexes shifted from an exclusive $100 million overall deal to a less lucrative first-look agreement. Meghan later described it as “flexibility” and “strength of our partnership,” at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in October 2025. Industry voices were blunt. A Hollywood source told RadarOnline: “It’s a clear step down. Netflix is keeping tight control now.” The brand glow dimmed further.
Holiday Cheer Meets A Grim Family Reality
On December 5, 2025, Meghan posted behind-the-scenes content from her Netflix holiday special while her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was in intensive care after emergency leg amputation surgery in the Philippines. She wrote: “A little behind the scenes of the holiday special for ‘With Love, Meghan’…So much love for this crew and the magic we created together. Happy holidays!” The timing drew harsh backlash. Public sympathy turned into scrutiny.
Inside Thomas Markle Sr.’s Medical Emergency
On December 2, 2025, Thomas Markle Sr. suffered a life-threatening emergency in Cebu requiring a leg amputation. Thomas Markle Jr. told the Daily Mail: “His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. There was no option. The leg had to be removed—it was a case of life or death.” After a 3-hour surgery, he remained in intensive care. Meghan’s spokesperson said she had “reached out,” but he later disputed it.
Did She Reach Out Or Not
After Thomas Markle contradicted claims of contact, Meghan’s team adjusted its account. They said an email was sent but the address was no longer active, prompting questions about why it was used. Later, another version emerged: a letter via “trusted intermediaries.” Details stayed murky as Meghan promoted projects. Angela Levin told TalkTV on December 15, 2025: “It’s narcissism, pure and simple.” Could the story get any more tangled?
Independence Claims Collide With Private Help
By late 2025, the Sussexes’ self-sufficiency narrative looked strained. Despite the reported $100 million Netflix deal, projects underperformed and criticism piled up, while reports said they relied on Victoria Jackson’s properties to support an aspirational lifestyle. A Daily Mail insider claimed Meghan’s $14.65 million Montecito mansion looked like “a prison” beside Jackson’s estates. They also filmed in a rented $6 million farmhouse. The optics kept worsening.
A Toronto Critique Hits A Nerve
On December 30, 2025, Toronto Star columnist Patricia Treble called Meghan the “most disappointing celebrity of 2025.” The sting was personal because Toronto had been her “Suits” era refuge. Treble wrote: “All the ingredients for Meghan becoming a worldwide hit were there…The strategy didn’t work. The Year of Meghan slowly deflated as each project failed to deliver.” She pointed to no renewal, a ended podcast, and a brand that “switched to As Ever when she couldn’t secure the trademark.” The criticism landed as a final blow.
Tom Bower’s Theory On The Title Fixation
On November 3, 2025, Tom Bower told “Crown and Conflict” with Kinsey Schofield: “It’s a great trading asset, and she uses it ruthlessly and with impunity…It’s nothing to do with the royal family, she couldn’t care two hoots about that, she just uses it to give herself the status she craves.” He argued Prince Andrew losing his title spurred fear. “I can only imagine she’s now sitting there thinking, ‘What are we going to do?’ Because without the titles, who is she?” The question stuck.
The Children And The Privacy Paradox
In 2025, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, sat at the center of competing messages. Meghan released Christmas cards with their faces hidden, arguing privacy, while also promoting family-adjacent Netflix content that benefited her brand. Their 2025 card featured Invictus imagery instead of a family portrait, suggesting a strategic emphasis on seriousness. Hello Magazine quoted an insider: “They do share anecdotes about their family life, but this emphasises their desire to keep their children out of the public eye.” The balancing act raised uncomfortable questions.
Unfinished Business As 2025 Closes
As 2025 ended, Meghan announced new documentary deals tied to Sundance and a film adaptation of “The Wedding Date,” while Thomas Markle Sr. moved into physical therapy after amputation. The split-screen of ambition and estrangement captured the year’s core critique: family values branding paired with family distance, independence claims paired with outside support, and business optimism paired with visible setbacks. Credibility took repeated hits. Would 2026 bring a reset or more doubling down?
A 2026 Test For The Duchess Brand
Entering 2026, Meghan faced a credibility crisis: a downgraded Netflix relationship, underperforming ventures, and projects critics panned. More damaging, she struggled to claim moral authority on independence as 2025 documented title leverage and strategic spin. Some royal observers warn Prince William’s eventual accession could reignite title questions, pointing to Prince Andrew’s precedent. Tom Bower’s line lingered: “Without the titles, who is she?” The next year may finally answer it.
Sources:
Meghan Markle on Business and Family Life with Prince Harry. Harper’s Bazaar, December 2025
Meghan Denies She Is Still Using HRH Title. Sky News, April 2025
Meghan Markle’s Dad in ICU After Emergency Amputation Surgery. The Straits Times, December 6, 2025
With Love, Meghan (TV Series 2025) User Reviews. IMDB, November 2025
Meghan Markle Accused of Clinging to Royal Title After Recent Interview. Fox News, November 2025