A breakup for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could have a detrimental outcome on their budding Hollywood careers, one royal expert claims.
“Harry and Meghan make a lucrative team, and their joint ventures have the potential to continue bringing in substantial income for their family,” relationship expert Louella Alderson told The Mirror in an article published Thursday.
“While they have their individual endeavors, their partnership has proven to be beneficial for both of them professionally too,” she added.
The co-founder of the So Syncd dating app explained that a split between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could “potentially impact their careers” amid their quest for a Hollywood comeback.
“Especially as a couple who have brands built on their relationship,” she explained.
If the Sussexes were to ever consider separating, Alderson believes they would follow in the footsteps of celebrity couples like Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and Meryl Streep and Don Gummer by keeping their breakup a secret.
“For starters, the media attention surrounding the end of their relationship would be difficult to deal with and they have their children to look out for,” she said, referring to the royal couple’s two children: Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.
“It’s common for celebrities to maintain a united front in the public eye … they may choose to present themselves as a strong and happy couple, even if they’ve actually been living separate lives for years.”
She added, “This is typically to avoid the inevitable media attention and speculation and to protect their image and brand.”
However, Alderson questioned speculation that Harry, 39, and Markle, 42, went on a romantic getaway to the Caribbean this month to work on their marriage.
“Harry and Meghan are constantly under scrutiny, with every move being analyzed and interpreted,” she said. “It could simply be a matter of them needing some time for themselves.”
Markle, who recently cut ties with Spotify, has been angling for a career reinvention. She signed with talent agency WME in April, launched a new Instagram account and has been rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s elite crowd. She’s also reportedly nearing a multimillion-dollar deal with Amazon’s podcast production partner, Audible.
Another relationship expert, Kate Mansfield, also weighed in on the public scrutiny surrounding Markle and Harry’s relationship and explained they have added pressure as members of the royal family.
“They have the additional royal family complications and duties,” Mansfield told the website, adding that “the pressure to stay together as a family unit is far greater than it is for other couples.”
“We only have to look at Charles and Camilla to know that for sure, royals can indulge in secret affairs, even over a long period,” Mansfield continued.
Mansfield agreed that the “Suits” alum and the red-headed royal, who married in 2018, are far from splitting.
“However, I personally don’t see Harry and Meghan being anywhere close to an ‘unofficial’ split,” she said. “It could be that they are smart, and see the value in making sure that they have a healthy relationship, which included space and independence, as well as family time.”
Rumors swirled that there was trouble in paradise for the couple in July.
“They’re trying to figure out what hit them. Harry doesn’t fit in Meghan’s tacky Tinseltown world,” a source told Radaronline at the time, adding that they are “taking time apart.”
However, Pvnew confirmed that there was no truth to the separation claims.
“It’s not true. It’s literally made up,” the insider told Pvnew.
The pair have since been spotted showing lots of PDA at the Invictus Games as well as several nights out on the town.
