The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Respond to Article Alleging Tensions, Business Struggles, and Local Controversies
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have refuted the claims made in a “disturbing” Vanity Fair article that explores their lives five years after stepping back from royal duties. The article, which spanned 8,000 words, made several controversial assertions regarding their marriage, their role within the Montecito community, and their business endeavours.
One of the more contentious claims came from alleged local neighbours in Montecito, who suggested that the couple had become “local villains” due to the additional media attention they brought to the area. Despite Montecito already being home to a number of high-profile figures, such as Oprah Winfrey and Ariana Grande, the couple was said to have intensified the town’s celebrity spotlight.
Additionally, the article included remarks from an unnamed individual who claimed to have worked on the Sussexes’ Spotify deal. The person criticised the couple for not adopting the typical podcast celebrity approach of simply recording conversations. Instead, they purportedly wanted to create an overarching theme but struggled with content ideas, with the unnamed employee saying, “The thing you’re escaping is the reason you’re compelling.”
Close sources to the Sussexes, however, have contested the article’s portrayal of their work environment, telling The Times that former employees and neighbours disagreed with many of the allegations. The Vanity Fair article presented conflicting descriptions of Meghan, with one individual claiming she was “undermining,” while another praised her as a “lovely, genuine person.”
In August 2022, Meghan launched her podcast Archetypes, which aimed to challenge gender stereotypes and empower women. Despite attracting initial attention, in June 2023, Spotify and Archewell Audio jointly announced the termination of their partnership.
In contrast to the Vanity Fair article’s portrayal, Sharon Stone, a close friend of the couple, shared a more positive view of Harry and Meghan’s involvement in the Montecito community. Speaking to Hello! magazine, Stone described them as “a giving, caring, participating part of our community” and noted they were not seeking attention or adoration.
The article also speculated that Meghan might have been approached to write a “post-divorce” book, but reassured readers that the couple’s marriage was strong, with sources affirming that their relationship remains genuine. In December, Harry himself addressed persistent divorce rumours, stating, “We’ve been divorced maybe 10, or 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what? It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls.”
