Five years is a lifetime in Hollywood. It is even longer in the brutal, gilded world of the British monarchy. By the time the Vanity Fair Meghan and Harry exposé dropped in early 2025, the Sussexes weren't just "ex-royals" anymore. They were a brand in a state of high-stakes evolution. Or, depending on who you asked at the Montecito country club, a brand in a bit of a tailspin.
The January 2025 piece by Anna Peele wasn't your typical fluff piece. It was an 8,000-word deep-tissue massage of their public and private lives that left the couple reportedly "bruised." Remember, Vanity Fair was where Meghan first went public in 2017 with that famous "Wild About Harry" cover. Back then, it was all cashmere and sunshine. Fast forward to 2025, and the tone shifted from "fairytale" to "forensic investigation."
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The Vanity Fair Meghan and Harry Report: A Cold Hard Look
The thing about this specific Vanity Fair investigation is that it didn't just recycle the old "tiara-gate" rumors. It dug into the machinery of their California life. It spoke to the people who actually sat in the meetings where those $100 million deals were hashed out.
Honestly, the most jarring part for many wasn't the "bullying" chatter—we've heard that for years. It was the specific, weirdly human details about their work habits. Sources described a pattern where Meghan would start off "warm and effusive," creating this "atmosphere of professional camaraderie." But when things hit a snag—often because of the couple’s own high demands—the temperature in the room would drop to absolute zero.
What went wrong with the big deals?
We all know the Spotify deal imploded. But the Vanity Fair piece gave us the "why" behind the "what."
- The Sociopath Podcast: One of the wildest revelations was Harry’s pitch to interview people like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. His angle? He wanted to talk to them about their childhood trauma to figure out why they became "sociopaths." He reportedly told people, "I have very bad childhood trauma... What is it about me that didn't make me one of these bad guys?"
- The Hot Chocolate Idea: At one point, Spotify executives were so desperate for content that they suggested Harry review a different hot chocolate every week. He allegedly thought about it. He ultimately said no.
- The "B-Word" Battle: Meghan reportedly refused to say the word "bitch" or "slut" on her Archetypes podcast, even though the whole show was about subverting those labels. She insisted on "the b-word," which created a bit of a creative stalemate with producers.
These aren't just gossipy tidbits. They point to a fundamental disconnect between their royal DNA—where you are the "brand" simply by existing—and the Hollywood reality where you have to actually make things.
Is the marriage actually okay?
If you spend any time on the darker corners of the internet, you’ve seen the "divorce watch" countdowns. But the Vanity Fair Meghan and Harry piece was surprisingly unanimous on one thing: they are still crazy about each other.
One source who worked closely with them put it bluntly: "They are so hot for each other. Like, you know how you meet those couples where you're like, I should probably not be here right now?" Another source suggested Meghan is essentially "reparenting" Harry, giving him the emotional safety net he never had in the Palace.
Why 2025 was the tipping point
The article painted a picture of two people who might be "trapped in a victim narrative." A Black historian quoted in the piece pointed out a weird irony: they spent years protecting the monarchy from racist criticism only to find themselves outside the tent, trying to build a new institution that looks... well, a lot like the old one, just with better lighting and more linen.
It’s tough. You've got Harry, who apparently has no hobbies beyond polo and doesn't have many friends in California. Then you've got Meghan, who is described as being "aware of where everybody is on her board," constantly playing a game of social and professional checkers.
The "Mean Girls" allegations
The most damaging part of the report was the testimony from former employees. We aren't just talking about people being "unhappy." The piece claimed that at least one person who worked on Archetypes took a leave of absence and then quit entirely. Others reportedly went into long-term therapy after working for the Duchess.
One source described the experience as "really, really, really awful." They used the term "Mean Girls teenager" to describe the way sense of self was "gnawed at" through back-channeling and cold shoulders.
"She's constantly playing checkers—I'm not even going to say chess—but she's just very aware of where everybody is on her board." — Anonymous Source, Vanity Fair 2025.
The fallout and what comes next
After the article hit, the Sussexes reportedly "dismissed" the claims as distressing and false. But the damage to their "American Dream" brand was real. In December 2025, Meghan’s Netflix holiday special, With Love, Meghan, was panned by critics as "cringe."
So, what is the takeaway for anyone following the Vanity Fair Meghan and Harry saga?
It’s about the struggle of transition. They are trying to be "of the people" while still clinging to titles and a lifestyle that requires $20 million a year in security. You can't be a populist and a Duke at the same time. Not really.
Actionable Insights for the Sussex Watchers:
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- Watch the Rebrand: Meghan is leaning hard into lifestyle content (American Riviera Orchard). This is a pivot away from "content creator" to "commercial mogul." It’s a safer bet.
- Harry's Solo Path: Notice how Harry is doing more solo trips lately—Africa, New York, London? He’s trying to reclaim his identity as the "Global Prince" of charity, separate from the Hollywood drama.
- The 2027 Countdown: With the Invictus Games 2027 on the horizon, expect a massive push for a "Royal Peace." The "Project Thaw" rumors aren't just noise; they are a necessity for Harry's long-term relevance.
If you want to understand the Sussexes, stop looking at the tabloids and start looking at the "glossies" like Vanity Fair. That’s where the real power plays—and the real cracks—are revealed.
The 2025 feature wasn't just an article. It was a mirror. And for the first time in a long time, the couple didn't seem to like what was looking back at them. They are no longer the "new" thing in Hollywood. They are now part of the establishment, and in Hollywood, the only thing worse than being hated is being predictable.