The Duchess of Sussex has agreed a new partnership with AI-driven shopping platform OneOff, which will allow her to earn a portion of profits from her outfits sold on the platform
Meghan Markle’s fresh partnership with an AI-powered shopping platform could undermine Prince Harry’s security legal fight, an expert has warned. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, has struck a deal with OneOff, enabling her to receive a share of proceeds from her outfits sold through the shopping platform.
Most of these are garments Meghan donned during her controversial tour of Australia with Harry last month, which sparked mixed reactions. The arrangement will see the duchess, who wed Harry in 2018, continue to receive a cut of profits from other clothing she sports during future “faux-royal tours” to different countries, including the UK.
Yet Harry is presently embroiled in a legal battle to restore his family’s automatic security provision in the UK, and experts believe Meghan’s fresh commercial tie could affect this.
Stacy Schaverien, a royal journalist, said: “If Harry wins back the right to taxpayer-funded security for him and his family, how will that play out when he and Meghan visit the UK?
“Will Meghan use those visits – which might be filled with charity engagements – as an opportunity to generate income too, as she did with the couple’s Australian tour? If she does, critics would rightly question whether taxpayers should be footing the bill for security.” Harry had contested the High Court ruling, which had gone against him, and the case is presently being reviewed. Automatic security, paid for by the taxpayer, is typically provided to working members of the royal family, but Harry and Meghan withdrew from the monarchy in 2020, reports the Mirror.
Consequently, the couple lost such entitlements, yet during their visit to Australia, they undertook charity events and engagements, very similar to a royal tour. This has sparked rumours that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might be deployed once more by The Firm, in “half-in, half-out” positions.
However, Hello! Magazine reports how this could prove problematic for Meghan, as she has committed to the OneOff partnership. This clash arrives at an awkward time for the pair, given that the Invictus Games are returning to Harry’s homeland next year. Later this year, Harry is scheduled to visit Birmingham to assist with preparations for this.
Since departing the Royal Family six years ago, Harry and Meghan have ventured into different revenue streams, including their agreements with Netflix and Spotify. Nevertheless, both of these have come to a sudden halt. The Duchess, however, is also currently developing her lifestyle brand, As Ever. Items remain enormously popular with her loyal supporters – and many have been snapped up in record time following their much-awaited launch.
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