Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have spent years trying to turn their fame into a successful entertainment brand. Their latest project, however, appears to have struggled to attract much of an audience.
Over the weekend, Archewell Productions released “Cookie Queens,” a documentary following four Girl Scouts as they deal with the competition, pressure and everyday challenges of selling cookies. According to the New York Post, the film brought in roughly $354,000 while playing in 446 theaters.
Those numbers became particularly awkward when compared with “CatVideoFest 2026,” a 70-minute collection of internet cat videos. Despite appearing on only 255 screens, the cat compilation reportedly earned about $569,000.
The comparison quickly became another opportunity for critics of Harry and Meghan to question whether the couple can still draw an audience when the royal family is not part of the story.
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich argued that much of the couple’s past attention came from their willingness to discuss their experiences inside the royal family. In her view, projects that have little or nothing to do with royal controversy have failed to generate the same level of public interest.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams made a similar point. Harry and Meghan remain two of the most recognizable people in the world, but name recognition has not automatically translated into successful television programs, documentaries or consumer products.
Previous projects, including “With Love, Meghan,” “Polo” and programming centered on the Invictus Games, have produced mixed reactions. Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand has also attracted plenty of publicity, although its long-term commercial strength remains a subject of debate.
That distinction between publicity and actual demand may be the larger issue facing the couple.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said there was once a time when attaching Harry or Meghan’s name to almost any project was enough to generate substantial curiosity. She believes that period may have passed.
Six years after the couple stepped away from their roles as senior working royals, audiences are increasingly judging their work the same way they would judge anyone else’s: Is the project interesting? Is it well made? Is it worth paying for?
Fame can persuade someone to click on a headline without convincing that same person to buy a movie ticket. Meghan, in particular, continues to inspire strong reactions from both supporters and critics, but controversy does not necessarily create a dependable customer base.
Schofield suggested that Harry and Meghan might benefit from reducing their public announcements and concentrating on a smaller number of stronger projects. Instead of repeatedly announcing new ventures or attempting another image reset, she argued that the couple would be better served by producing something successful enough to speak for itself.
That may be the most significant lesson from “Cookie Queens.” Harry and Meghan clearly do not have a recognition problem. Almost everyone knows who they are. The question is whether their names alone are still enough to make people watch, subscribe or spend money.
