For a couple who once stepped onto the global stage with star power bright enough to challenge the monarchy itself, the Sussexes now find themselves confronting an unexpected, humiliating twist: not only is the UK exhausted by their drama — Hollywood seems to be slipping away too.
What was supposed to be their great reinvention in California is increasingly being viewed as a slow-motion unraveling, one marked by shrinking friendships, faltering public projects, and a rising chorus of people wondering: Have Meghan and Harry finally worn out their welcome everywhere?

In the aftermath of “Megxit,” the couple entered Los Angeles with momentum — Oprah Winfrey interviews, multimillion-dollar deals, and a circle of celebrity friends ready to embrace their narrative of reinvention. But, as industry observers now note, that golden aura has dimmed dramatically. Even Oprah — once seen as their most powerful ally — appears far more distant. Though she recently endorsed Meghan’s “fruit spread,” the warmth that defined their explosive 2021 interview has undeniably cooled. What was once a bond built on global headlines now looks like a polite, carefully managed arm’s-length association.

And then there’s Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Their friendship with the Sussexes, once proudly public, seems to have dissolved into silence — especially after Ellen relocated from Montecito to the Cotswolds in England. For someone like Meghan, who famously avoids returning to the UK, it is not a trip she will be eager to make. Even Meghan’s 44th birthday celebration raised quiet eyebrows: unexpectedly “low-key,” and notably lacking the celebrity glamour she once commanded with ease.

This erosion of A-list connections is reflected vividly in Meghan’s much-criticized Netflix series With Love. The show, intended to highlight hosting tips and feature her elite circle, instead exposed how few major stars are willing to appear beside her today. Instead of the Hollywood royalty many expected, viewers were greeted with… well, a lineup that could generously be described as D-list: Chrissy Teigen, still battling the shadows of her online bullying scandal; Mindy Kaling, who publicly slipped when she referred to Meghan as “Meghan Markle” instead of “the Duchess”; and Daniel Martin, the loyal makeup artist whose role increasingly feels like that of a paid cheerleader rather than a high-profile guest.

Hollywood insiders observed that the show’s “borrowed California kitchen,” pastel aesthetics, and low-energy conversations made the absence of real A-list friends painfully obvious. For a couple who once moved among the most powerful circles in entertainment, the contrast is striking.

And the distancing isn’t just happening quietly — it’s happening publicly.
Last month, Meghan and Harry attended a Dodgers game, sitting in prime seats in front of basketball icon Magic Johnson. But when their faces appeared on the jumbotron, the crowd reportedly responded with groans, boos, and jeers — a humiliating moment that insiders say rattled the couple more deeply than expected. Hollywood, once viewed as their safe haven, suddenly didn’t seem so welcoming.

The contrast between husband and wife grew even sharper soon after. In footage that observers described as “unsettling,” Meghan appeared energetic and performative while celebrating the World Series with friend Kelly McKee Zajfen — while Harry was shown separately, sitting alone in their empty home cinema, watching the same game with a look that many interpreted as boredom, loneliness, or perhaps resignation.
To many viewers, it was an image far removed from the happy, purpose-driven prince the public once knew.

And that version of Harry — lively, engaged, grounded — resurfaced recently during his brief visit to the UK in September. Those who encountered him described him as “energized,” “warm,” and “in his element,” reconnecting with his father and charitable partners in a way that hasn’t been seen in years. The difference between Harry in London and Harry in California felt almost symbolic: one version rooted in identity, the other seemingly adrift in someone else’s world.

Behind the gates of their Montecito mansion, analysts believe the Sussexes are facing a painful reality: their post-royal glow is not just fading, it is crumbling. The early Hollywood goodwill has evaporated under the weight of controversies, overexposure, and the couple’s reputation for high drama and relentless self-promotion.

Even Meghan’s freshly released Harper’s Bazaar cover — intended as a revitalizing PR moment — has struggled to shift the narrative. The profile leaned heavily on familiar name-drops, referencing her “tight-knit circle” and an upcoming lunch with Gloria Steinem (“Glo,” as Meghan allegedly insists on calling her). Serena Williams appears as one of Meghan’s last remaining loyalists, offering warm words about their friendship. But as critics point out, even Meghan’s Christmas card list seems to be shrinking — along with her influence.

Meanwhile, Hollywood insiders whisper that Harry’s growing desire to reconnect with his roots is no longer subtle. He appears increasingly drawn to the UK, to the sense of belonging he once had, and to the stability that his life in America may no longer provide.

As for Meghan, observers claim she now stands at a crossroads — facing a possible loss of status, shrinking alliances, and an industry that no longer bends in her direction. And though nothing has been publicly confirmed, analysts believe the royal family is watching these developments closely. Some even suggest that, should Harry choose to return one day, the palace may be more prepared than ever to welcome him back — quietly, strategically, and without the woman who helped pull him away in the first place.

The couple left the UK seeking freedom, fame, and admiration.
But in the cold glare of reality, they may have traded one palace of scrutiny for another — and this time, the world is no longer applauding.