Book deals and speeches could earn royal couple millions

The Sussex royals are likely to use their new-found freedom to focus on causes, wanting to expand their charitable work.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be in “consultation with various companies and individuals” to glean advice about money-making ventures. Picture: AFP.

With a global fanbase, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can consider many future possibilities.

Prince Harry’s personal fortune has been estimated at £30 million ($A57 million). The Queen Mother is thought to have left about £70 million ($A133 million) in trust for her great-grandchildren, with Harry, 35, and his brother sharing about £14 million ($A27 million) from her estate. The brothers inherited 75 per cent of the £21 million ($A40 million) estate left by their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who also left them her jewellery.

They have already spoken about wanting to expand their charitable work. Meghan is a keen campaigner on women’s issues while Harry has had huge success with the Invictus Games for injured service personnel. The couple are likely to use their new-found freedom to focus on causes. However, they are also believed to be in “consultation with various companies and individuals” to glean advice about money-making ventures.

Public speaking 

The Duchess of Sussex has excelled at every public speaking engagement during her time as a royal and has been known to help her husband rehearse his speeches. After-dinner speeches and appearances could prove highly lucrative. Jeff Jacobson, co-founder of the Talent Bureau speaking agency, based in North America, speculated that the couple could earn six-figure sums for each appearance. “Every agency that represent speakers would be all over it,” he said. “Associations are big in that world - corporate groups, conferences, executive retreats - but the honest truth is that speakers set the parameters so it is different for everyone. There are so many different kinds of events out there.”

Many popular global speakers share experience, advice and in some cases how an audience can replicate their success. Mr Jacobson added: “I know Prince Harry has been passionate about veteran issues so they will want to share their own experiences with audiences. It isn’t topic-driven; it is personality-driven, but I think they will do well whatever they choose to do next.”

Book deal

While the Duke of Sussex has never proclaimed to be academic his wife has spoken frequently about her love of writing, most notably during a guest editorship of Vogue magazine and a charity cookbook with members of the Grenfell community. The couple’s first-hand account of life in the royal family, or their opinion on any subject, would attract worldwide interest.

A literary source said that the Obamas’ two-book deal was worth £57 million ($A108 million) and a biographical book by the duke and duchess could command just as much because of their appeal in the UK and America.

Max Edwards, a literary agent at Aevitas, said that if the couple decided to write a book, it would be “absolutely ginormous”. He noted that the couple have been critical of how their words have been “twisted” in the media, and that the concept of being published unfiltered could hugely appeal to the couple.

It could lead to one of the biggest bidding wars in history, he said, adding that “appetite in the UK would be huge but in America it would be off the scale”.

However, the popularity of the manuscript would depend entirely on the content. “Them talking in their own words about their relationship is where the deal would really take off,” Mr Edwards said.

Prince Harry has had huge success with the Invictus Games for injured service personnel and has been known to practice his public speaking engagements with his wife. Picture: Toby Zerna

Meghan Markle has excelled at every public speaking engagement during her time as the Duchess of Sussex and could return to acting career, which she set aside to become a member of the royal family. Picture: Getty Images.

Trademarks

Six months ago, applications to trademark their brand “Sussex Royal” for a range of goods and activities were lodged with UK intellectual property authorities.

The vast array of items included clothes, calendars and pencils, as well as “public awareness campaigns”.

It has led to speculation that the couple may be planning to create a big commercial brand.

However, it would be a move likely to attract heavy criticism and accusations that they are cashing in on their “royal” association - as well as doing little to improve relations with other members of the family.

Acting

Meghan first found fame as an actress and her breakout role was in the television legal drama Suits. She set aside her acting dreams to become a member of the royal family. Talent agents say that if she decided to return to acting she would be in complete control and have her pick of roles, for which she could demand up to £10 million ($A19 million) a time.

Nail LaPrell, director of BMG Talent in Los Angeles, said: “She quit acting in order to join the royal family so she may feel like she can go back to it now.

“Acting was her passion and it must have been difficult to have that taken away from her … it would be an absolute money maker - you cannot get much more star power than Meghan and in America she is worshipped as a princess. If she appeared in a film it would be a huge hit … she would have complete control over what she did.”

Commercial partnerships

The royal family are bound by strict rules prohibiting them from taking anything free, from clothes and cars to building services and holidays. However, as an actress Meghan was a keen fan of luxury gifting suites, where stars are showered with products. If the Sussexes are able to take a step back, they could make money through commercial partnerships and getting items free. One senior PR at a well-known fashion brand claimed that Meghan in particular would be “infinitely marketable”.

However Michael Cole, a public relations and royal expert, warned that this could be extremely complicated and that commercial partnerships “would be disastrous as it would imply that the royal family is for sale.”

The Times