Following the release of Prince Harry’s Spare, Meghan, 44, had considered writing her own memoir and received several lucrative publishing offers.Bradley Jolly, Michael D. Carroll and Ambarish Awale Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
14:37, 09 Apr 2026
Meghan Markle has reportedly dropped plans to write her memoirs to “uphold the standards of the monarchy”(Image: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)
Meghan Markle has reportedly shelved major plans in order to “uphold the standards of the monarchy”. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, had been presented with multiple lucrative publishing deals to write her memoirs following the success of Prince Harry’s Spare, and had indicated last year on a candid podcast that she wished to follow in her husband’s literary footsteps.
Spare, published in January 2023, became one of the fastest-selling non-fiction books ever but caused controversy within the royal family. It included claims of a physical altercation between Harry and his brother Prince William, Harry’s accounts of killing 25 Taliban members in Afghanistan, and a personal anecdote about losing his virginity, Express reports.
The book intensified claims of a fractured relationship between Harry and senior royals. According to an insider, Meghan and Harry are now seeking to avoid further controversy.
A source told OK! Magazine: “Meghan and Harry are cautious about everything they do and say to uphold the standards of the monarchy. Those [memoirs] are the types of projects they don’t want to do.”
A source said Meghan is careful not to upset the Royal Family and has avoided projects such as memoirs(Image: Savion Washington/Getty Images)
“They do the best they can not to upset the royals. Everyone who goes into business with them knows there are constraints, but it hurts the project’s creativity.
“They are adamant about having creative control and final edit… and what they can’t say limits things,” the source explained.
Recent events suggest this caution extends beyond publishing. The couple attended Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebrations in November but reportedly requested that certain photographs be removed from Kim Kardashian’s Instagram account.
Meghan released her children’s book The Bench in June 2021, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller.(Image: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
The shift may also be linked to changing finances, as the Sussexes’ revenue streams have diminished since the conclusion of their Netflix deal.
Nonetheless, Meghan retains strong writing credentials.
The source added: “It is the one area where Meghan has a lot of financial clout.”
In June 2021, shortly after moving to the US and following the birth of Princess Lilibet, Meghan released the children’s book The Bench, which quickly reached The New York Times Bestsellers list in the picture book category.
New insight has also emerged regarding longstanding tensions with the royal family.
According to royal historian Robert Hardman, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan clashed over the choice of tiara ahead of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, Daily Record reports.
In an extract from his upcoming book Queen Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, Hardman wrote: “Another pre-wedding row, which would continue to create headlines years after the wedding, concerned Meghan’s choice of tiara.
“The Queen much enjoyed offering a piece from her own tiara collection to a royal bride, when required.”
Reports suggest both Meghan and Harry initially favoured Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau.
Tensions could resurface as the Sussexes prepare for a high-profile tour to Australia, their first visit Down Under since 2018, when Meghan was pregnant with their son Archie, Daily Record reports.
The couple is expected to participate in a series of private, business, and philanthropic events.
Harry will deliver a keynote speech at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit on workplace mental health, while Meghan is set to appear at a women-only weekend retreat.