Meghan Markle appears to be on ‘manoeuvres’ after a string of public events in the US and Europe with more on the way this week.
The Duchess of Sussex is set to lecture on life as a ‘high-profile business founder’ as she makes an appearance at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit in Washington DC tomorrow.
Last week Meghan made a string of public appearances in New York with Prince Harry where the couple were handed a Humanitarians of the Year award and were stars at a Mental Health Day Festival.
The Sussexes were also pictured heading for a slap-up lunch with friend and tennis legend Serena Williams in the Big Apple’s Soho House.
But experts suspect a PR blitz with a photograph emerging today of her said to be holding a solo meeting with the new editor of American Vogue, Chloe Malle, in a quiet corner of the luxurious Whitby Hotel in Manhattan.
The Daily Mail has asked both the Sussexes and Vogue to comment on the talks.
Meghan was also spotted without her husband visiting her friend Gloria Steinem, arguably one of America’s most influential liberal activists and feminists who has been a vocal supporter of Meghan post-Megxit.
And in a flurry of activity in October, Meghan popped up in Paris at the Balenciaga Spring-Summer 2026 show nine days ago where her daring white and black outfits made headlines around the world.
One leading PR guru with clients in the US and UK told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s Meghan 3.0. She’s on manoeuvres and looking for yet another relaunch.’
Meghan Markle is set to discuss her experience as a ‘high-profile business founder’ as she makes an appearance at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit this week. Pictured at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day on October 10
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle steps out in a beige coat and black trousers on a rainy day in New York City after visiting Gloria Steinem
Prince Harry and Meghan before getting their Humanitarians of the Year award
And in a flurry of activity in October, Meghan popped up in Paris at the Balenciaga Spring-Summer 2026 show nine days ago where her daring white and black outfits made headlines around the world.
Today the Daily Mail revealed that she had asked the brand’s top designer if she could attend – rather than receiving an invite.
But insiders in the fashion world have said while there were a number of controversies on the trip, her Parisian adventure has been well received in that cossetted world and more appearances at these type of events could follow.
The Duchess of Sussex has had a busy 2025 – but there have been bumps in the road.
In March there was the launch of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan – but the TV series has suffered poor ratings.
Her Netflix cookery show was savaged by critics following season one in March, and a second season in August. There is also a Christmas special but no confirmation if the show will continue after that.
British Vogue suggested the first episode alone left them confused, asking ‘why does Meghan chop onions so slowly?’ and ‘why does Meghan need edible flowers next to her cooker?’
The Spectator branded the second series ‘just as ghastly as season one’, adding Meghan risks ‘dwindling into obscurity’.
But even with celebrity guests including Chrissy Teigen, John Legend and Tan France, many critics argued the show lacks substance – and claim Meghan failed to be authentic.
Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry enjoyed lunch with tennis legend Serena Williams in New York’s Soho House last Friday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival at Spring Studios on the same day
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 4
Meghan later looked elegant in all black in another Balenciaga outfit in Paris on October 4
But in August, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a new ‘multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects’ with Netflix – a downgrade on their previous contract.
The new arrangement means Netflix can say yes or no to new film or TV projects before anyone else – but there is no guarantee of work and a person familiar with the deal says Netflix is loosening its ties with the couple.
Her Spotify podcast Archetypes ended and her Confessions Of A Female Founder podcast was not universally liked with her episode with friend Jamie Kern Lima widely lampooned.
The Guardian said: ‘Meghan’s sycophantic interview podcast is stomach-turning.’
She also launched her lifestyle business As Ever with items selling out almost immediately.
At first glance it appeared to be wildly successful but some experts have accused As Ever of using a PR strategy – small product runs that don’t amount to huge sales.
Experts have also warned that her latest launch – a 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – is ‘risky’ following a muted reaction to her last rosé launch.
Although the former working royal would not share specific figures, she told Bloomberg’s Emily Chang in August that she has ordered a million jam jars and lids for future sales.
In September it emerged she seemingly closed down her ShopMy website, which sold items such as £20 ($26) grey t-shirts to £1,600 ($2,000) silk gowns.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, will also speak to Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell in Washington DC on Tuesday at a starry event also featuring the likes of former Vice President Kamala Harris and pop star Selena Gomez.
She will discuss life as the founder of her As Ever lifestyle business, her new products and ‘navigating entrepreneurship in the public eye and building a brand that will endure’.
Their chat, titled Next Level Influence, will also cover how Meghan plans to build a ‘successful, long-lasting business empire’.
In the past year, Meghan has returned to Instagram, launched her Confessions Of A Female Founder podcast, appeared in her own Netflix cookery show, and launched a range of lifestyle products and website.
‘She joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges of life as a high-profile, highly scrutinised founder, as well as how she plans to leverage her significant influence to build a successful, long-lasting business empire,’ the blurb from Fortune read.
Meghan’s first range of lifestyle products for her As Ever brand sold out just minutes after going live when it first launched in April.
However, experts later theorised this was a ‘common marketing ploy’ as items had only been made in small quantities, while later launches including her rosé wine failed to sell out.
Her trip tomorrow also comes in the wake of a busy few weeks following Meghan’s solo appearance at Paris Fashion Week, and then a joint trip to New York City with her husband Prince Harry to receive a ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ award.
The Duchess of Sussex used her acceptance speech to voice fears about Archie and Lilibet growing up in a digital age – hours after the Princess of Wales visited a children’s charity and warned that excessive screen time can harm family life.
Meghan was also praised as ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’ as she received the award. Harry’s work with mental health companies and his controversial 2021 memoir Spare were listed among his achievements.
The competing events, 3,500 miles apart, could stir up trouble and pour cold water on hopes of peace talks between the warring Windsors.
The Daily Mail revealed that a friend of the Sussexes has predicted: ‘Meghan will return to Britain before the year is out’ and could come bearing ‘humble pie’.
The couple are apparently planning their reconciliation with the royal family in a secret plot dubbed: ‘Project Thaw’. There have been claims that William could even meet Harry – but he is not willing to do so with Meghan present.
Her Washington DC appearance tomorrow is her first at the event in five years.
In October 2020, Meghan previously spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Next Gen Virtual Summit to discuss ‘courageous leadership’ and share how she learned to ‘lead on a global stage’.
She looked elegant in a $328 blue and white strappy dress from African American designer Tracy Reese’s sustainable label Hope for Flowers for the occasion.
However, it was reported at the time that guests would need to pay $1,750 for the privilege, with tickets to the summit limited to invited guests willing to pay the hefty registration fee.
A month earlier, she joined a virtual conversation with senior Fortune editor Ellen McGirt.
During their conversation, she insisted that she does not actually focus on anything written about her – be it negative or positive – turning to a quote from artist Georgia O’Keeffe to express her views about ‘flattery and criticism’.
‘I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free,’ she quoted at the time, while adding her own sentiments, claiming that she feels ‘liberated’ from opinions about her.
‘And the moment you are able to be liberated from all these other opinions of what you know to be true, then I think it’s just very easy to just live with peace and live with authenticity,’ she said. ‘And that is how I choose to move through the world.’
The announcement about Meghan’s return to the summit comes after she and Prince Harry were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ during Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala which took place on Thursday.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala at Spring Studios on October 09
As they accepted the award, Meghan expressed the couple’s fears about how social media exposure will impact their children, Lilibet and Archie, six.
She said: ‘Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.
‘Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers.’
While the Duke of Sussex, 41, was honoured as ‘a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military combat veteran’, Meghan was noted as a ‘mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’.
A week prior, Meghan was seen in the audience at Paris Fashion Week, but, despite it being her first attempt to be taken seriously by the world of high fashion, found her whirlwind tour beset by gaffes and awkward moments.
She also shared an awkward kiss with Balenciaga’s designer Pierpaolo Piccioli – and ended up butting heads with him as they leaned in for an embrace.
She then faced claims she may have made yet another front row blunder, with video emerging of her appearing to laugh as a model took a tumble on the Balenciaga catwalk, next to her stony-faced friend.
When her friend didn’t seem amused, Meghan turned back around to watch the show with a more neutral expression, though a representative insisted she was not laughing at the model falling.
Meghan had to ask for an invite to her catwalk debut on her polarising Paris trip, Balenciaga’s top designer revealed.
The Duchess of Sussex said the visit to Fashion Week in the French capital was ‘the culmination of many years of…friendship’ with Pierpaolo Piccioli.
But Mr Piccioli has been rather more muted in his response, suggesting that their friendship is one of casual texting.
In a new interview the celebrated clothing designer revealed that Meghan had asked him if she could attend – rather than him sending her an invite.
But Mr Piccioli did say it was a ‘beautiful surprise’ and had helped keep her Paris visit to his show secret.
When asked about Meghan’s trip – and her two outfits – he said: ‘Meghan and I met some years ago, and we’ve been texting ever since. She reached out and said she’d love to come to the show’.
He added: ‘There was no strategy or big orchestration’.
Meghan’s decision to take a 10,000-mile round trip to Paris Fashion Week came straight out of the blue, Piccioli confirmed, and he helped her keep it secret.
dailymail,news,Washington DC,Prince Harry,Netflix,Balenciaga
#Meghan #Markle #duchess #set #tongues #wagging #shes #plotting #Sussex #relaunch #holds #cosy #meeting #editor #Vogue