When Meghan Markle first started posting affiliate links on the e-commerce site ShopMy, plenty of people assumed it would be a quick and easy money-maker for the Duchess.
After all, that’s how a lot of influencers make serious income—by linking their favorite beauty buys, fashion picks, or homeware from Instagram, and earning commission every time a fan makes a purchase.
From “Icon” to “Enthusiast” in Just a Few Months
Some top creators on ShopMy reportedly bring in up to $1 million a year, depending on how well they sell.
Meghan got involved with enthusiasm at first, sharing the cozy sweaters she wore in her Netflix docuseries With Love, Meghan, a chic denim dress she wore on a date night with Harry to see Beyoncé, and a few beauty favorites.
But the buzz didn’t last. She hasn’t posted a thing on ShopMy in over two months.
As a result, her status quietly slipped from top-tier “icon” to the lowest tier, “enthusiast.”
While Meghan still posts actively on her Instagram and for her lifestyle brand As Ever, the affiliate links seem to have taken a back seat.
A source close to her insists that it’s not about the money.
“ShopMy was a fun experiment, but right now, Meghan is fully focused on growing As Ever and building her business portfolio,” they said.
“She used the platform to spotlight designers she loves, especially female founders.
It was always about authenticity.”
The Bigger Picture: Making It in California
There’s a bigger conversation happening here—one that goes beyond affiliate links.
Ever since Meghan and Prince Harry moved to Montecito after stepping away from royal life, their financial independence has been a hot topic.
While whispers of a royal reconciliation continue—especially after two Sussex team members recently met with one of King Charles’ aides—sources are clear: the couple isn’t planning a UK return.
“They’re happy in California and raising their kids there,” one insider explained.
“Harry will keep visiting the UK for charity work, but home is in Montecito.”
A Lavish Life That Demands Major Cash Flow
Still, it’s worth remembering just how expensive that Montecito lifestyle is.
They bought their mansion for nearly $15 million just five months after Megxit. According to financial estimates, their annual costs could be around $4 million.
That includes a reported $480,000 mortgage, $68,000 in property taxes, $250,000 in staff costs, and up to $3 million on private security.
That kind of overhead requires serious income.
Meghan and Harry’s high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify were seen as critical moves to keep things afloat.
The Truth About Those Megabucks Netflix Deals
Back in 2020, the Sussexes signed a headline-grabbing deal with Netflix reportedly worth $100 million.
But insiders say the couple hasn’t pocketed nearly that much.
Sources suggest they’ve likely cleared $10–$15 million for themselves so far, with Netflix footing production costs for their hit documentary Harry & Meghan and less successful projects like With Love, Meghan.
The latter ranked only 389th on Netflix’s six-month global engagement report, with just 5.3 million views—nowhere near the platform’s top hits.
For comparison, Adolescence hit 145 million views.
Harry’s own Netflix doc Polo, which took viewers behind the scenes of the elite sport, performed even worse—drawing just 500,000 global views.
That ranked it 3,442 out of roughly 7,000 titles, on par with reruns of He-Man: Masters of the Universe.
Despite these underwhelming numbers, Netflix reportedly sees Meghan as a “rock star” and may soon renew their contract, offering her $3–$5 million a year to keep With Love, Meghan going.
As Ever Might Be the Real Goldmine
Where Meghan’s really finding momentum, though, is with As Ever, her new lifestyle brand created in partnership with Netflix.
After launching products like jams, cookie mixes, sprinkles, and a now-sold-out rosé wine, everything she touches seems to fly off the shelves—though exact sales figures remain a mystery.
Industry insiders estimate her profits from As Ever could match her Netflix income, putting her earnings at another $3–$5 million per year.
That would easily keep the family comfortably living their California dream.
It’s clear Meghan is positioning herself as a new kind of lifestyle mogul, even if she wasn’t mentioned in the Montecito Journal’s latest “Female Founders” issue. Ouch.
Spotify Flop and Podcast Pivots
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though. The couple’s Spotify deal collapsed, and Meghan only produced one podcast series—Archetypes—before the plug was pulled.
A smaller follow-up deal with Lemonada Media hasn’t turned into a blockbuster either.
Meghan’s Confessions of a Female Founder podcast drew some buzz but failed to top any charts.
She recently admitted there’s no second season planned—at least not for now.
“I’m in a building phase with my business,” she explained. “It’s time to pour all my energy into what I’m growing.
At this point, the only thing I want spread thin is my jam.”
Prince Harry’s Role and the Search for Impact
As Meghan’s business ventures pick up speed, Harry’s path has shifted more toward charitable efforts.
While he does have two paid roles—at sustainable tourism firm Travalyst and as Chief Impact Officer at the coaching company BetterUp—neither role seems to bring the financial firepower Meghan’s projects do.
BetterUp reportedly brought in $215 million in 2024 but has faced criticism for a toxic culture and laying off 15% of staff.
Travalyst, meanwhile, has a relatively modest £320,000 in assets and focuses on standardizing eco-tourism practices.
The Struggle to Make a Lasting Impact
Harry’s charitable work has faced its own setbacks.
He recently distanced himself from his African charity Sentebale after a fallout with its leadership.
Archewell Foundation continues to support social causes like anti-bullying efforts and responsible tech use, but with only $1.3 million in grants distributed in 2023, its impact remains limited.
The Invictus Games remain Harry’s most visible and successful initiative
. He attended this week’s event in Angola and is preparing for the Winter Games in Vancouver later this year, followed by Birmingham in 2027.
He’s even extended an invitation to his father, King Charles.
Whether that gesture opens the door to royal reconciliation—or whether it’s a strategic move to regain a royal platform—is up for debate.
A Shift in Power and Influence
Once upon a time, Meghan was the actress and Harry was the prince.
These days, it’s Meghan who’s leading the charge financially and creatively, while Harry is struggling to carve out his lane.
Their world is still glamorous, no doubt, but behind the beautiful photos and headline deals is a couple hustling hard to fund their high-profile life.
Whether through jam jars, wine labels, or documentaries, Meghan seems to be the Sussexes’ new financial powerhouse—and she’s just getting started.