While Meghan Markle attended the high-profile opening of a friend’s bookstore near Montecito with Oprah Winfrey and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos last weekend, she and Prince Harry are still facing difficulties in establishing themselves in Hollywood. Despite the couple’s spokesperson not commenting on their ongoing issues, these professional struggles are not new. This comes as Harry prepares to celebrate his milestone 40th birthday. Recently, it was reported that Meghan might face delays with her American Riviera Orchard (AOR) luxury lifestyle brand due to a confusing trademark issue with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

One reason for their professional difficulties is reportedly Meghan’s reputation as a challenging employer, which contributes to the couple’s inability to retain staff. According to a harsh portrayal of Meghan in The Hollywood Reporter, many executives have left their positions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex both before and after their 2020 departure from royal duties and move to California.

The column questions why so many staff members have left and quotes a source close to the couple who describes Meghan as intimidating and dismissive of advice. The source claims that both Meghan and Harry are poor decision-makers who frequently change their minds. While Harry is described as charming and enabling, Meghan is portrayed as difficult to work with.

Moreover, Netflix is reportedly not expected to renew the $100 million contract it signed with the Sussexes in 2020, despite Sarandos’ presence at the bookstore event. Meghan, Harry, and Netflix recently released a trailer for their upcoming documentary “Polo,” which focuses on Harry’s favorite sport. However, the Puck newsletter indicated that this documentary and a potential cooking show featuring Meghan may not resonate with audiences as their 2022 docuseries did, which gained attention for its criticism of the British royal family.

Previously, The Hollywood Reporter listed Meghan and Harry as among the “Biggest Losers” of 2023, suggesting they have struggled to transition from their royal life to leveraging their celebrity status in America. Their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s memoir “Spare” were criticized, and their Spotify podcast “Archetypes” faced issues, including Spotify terminating their $20 million deal and calling them “grifters.”

The Hollywood Reporter now notes that Meghan and Harry have lost another American advisor, Josh Kettler, who resigned as their chief of staff after just three months. Kettler’s departure occurred shortly before their controversial visit to Colombia.

The report highlights an extensive list of former staff members, including their global press secretary and heads of their PR and charity foundations, who have left. Meghan’s past behavior as a “difficult” boss during her brief time as a royal, including an investigation into her alleged bullying, seems to persist. The column describes her as prone to tantrums and aggressive management.

Despite Meghan’s public persona of gratitude and positivity, as seen during her Colombia visit and her discussions on social media safety and personal growth, the reports from The Hollywood Reporter depict a starkly different reality. Meghan has previously defended her assertiveness, arguing that setting boundaries is not demanding but rather necessary.