Harry and Meghan’s Exit Was Triggered by a Bizarre Ingredient the Royals Opposed, Claims Source
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020 was a surprising move many did not see coming. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their departure from royal duties to pursue financial independence while continuing to support the Queen. Although their public statement indicated an amicable split, a royal source has claimed their exit was far less friendly behind closed doors. They alleged that the Sussexes left the royal fold because the family disapproved of their plans to profit from their interest in making and selling jams.
Four years after stepping back from royal duties, Markle announced in March 2024 the launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, later rebranded to As Ever in February 2025. The brand debuted with a strawberry jam as its first product on the market. According to the Scottish Daily Express, an insider claimed it was Harry and Markle’s ambition to monetize their status by selling jam that ultimately fueled their decision to 'escape' to the U.S. The Sussexes allegedly pointed to King Charles and his Duchy Originals brand, launched in 1990, as a central argument in defending their plans.
Charles’s brand, which sold jam and other food items like oat biscuits, operated with the full support of the late Queen Elizabeth, with all proceeds going to charity. As per the source, Harry and Markle reportedly mentioned Duchy Originals to the Queen when making the case for their private venture. However, the Queen allegedly rejected their proposal to profit from their products. Indeed, the Sussexes' official statement following the departure read, "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
Royal author Valentine Low also revealed in his tell-all book, Courtiers, that the Sussexes left the Palace so that they could focus on being financially independent while being away from the public eye. As per the New York Times, he penned, "Some suspected that in the end she [Markle] wanted to make money. And the only way she was going to do that was by leaving her royal life behind and going back to America." Low added that had the couple agreed to continue with royal duties, they would not have been allowed to "act or take decisions in order to gain financially."
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While Markle’s decision to sell jam through her lifestyle brand was a smart business move, the Duchess has recently found herself embroiled in controversy over her signature product. As reported by People magazine, in late June, Markle faced backlash after As Ever launched an apricot 'spread' that quickly sold out, resulting in oversold orders and customer frustration. She quickly attempted to clean up the mess by issuing full refunds and promised free jars once restocked. Her product also drew criticism from experts who questioned its classification as jam and its overall quality.