Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are settling into their new lives as “financially independent” members of the royal family, the couple have been hard at work pursuing lucrative work opportunities all around the world.
Just days after it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had accepted an estimated fee of around $750,000 from JP Morgan to speak at the US banking giant’s billionaires’ summit in Miami last week, a new report has emerged that Harry and Meghan turned down another potentially high-paying, high profile job opportunity – presenting an award at the 2020 Oscars.
According to HELLO!, the couple were invited to present the award for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards – an honour that went to Jane Fonda, in the end – but declined the offer.
“They were honoured by the request, but declined the invitation,” a royal source told the publication.
Organisers had hoped that the royals would be able to attend the event, as they were already in the US for the JP Morgan summit, and it would have been their first official public appearance in front of the world’s press since they announced their controversial #Megxit deal.
Meghan and Harry declined an offer to present an award at the Oscars yesterday.
(Credit: Getty)While it’s clear the Oscar presenting gig wasn’t the right fit for Harry and Meghan right now, so soon after their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family, the Sussexes are definitely looking at pursuing other lucrative acting, presenting and speaking gigs outside the UK, particularly in the US, which is close to their new home base of Canada.
The JP Morgan event is a perfect example of the kind of engagements the couple will hope to take part in, in the future.
There were no media present – so we have no official photographs from inside the summit – and no details were posted on the Sussex Royal Instagram account, which is unusual.
“It was all very hush-hush, with a lot of security. Meghan and Harry headlined the event as the keynote speakers,” a source told Page Six.
But sources who were in attendance say both Harry and Meghan gave candid speeches, with the Duchess speaking about her “love for her husband”, and Harry opening up about the struggles he faced with the British media back home.
Meghan was first introduced by CBS News host and Oprah Winfrey’s best friend Gayle King, before handing the microphone to her husband.
“[Harry] talked about how the events of his childhood affected him and that he has been talking to a mental health professional,” the source said.
“Harry also touched on Megxit, saying while it has been very difficult on him and Meghan, he does not regret their decision to step down as senior royals because he wants to protect his family.
“He does not want Meghan and their son Archie to go through what he did as a child.”
WATCH BELOW: The moment Prince Harry sells Meghan’s voice-over skills to the Disney CEO. Story continues after video.
The Sussex camp has not officially confirmed or denied details of the event, but sources told Page Six the couple dined with Jennifer Lopez and her fiancé Alex Rodriguez at fine dining restaurant Habitat, at the 1Hotel South Beach, while they were in town.
According to a witness, the two couples “got on really well with Jennifer and Alex, and spent some time chatting with them over dinner.”
“J-Lo was overheard inviting the couple and their baby Archie to her and Alex’s house in Miami to spend time with them and their kids.”
While Harry and Meghan are now officially based in Canada with baby Archie, a Commonwealth nation, they are reportedly “looking at houses” in LA and intend to spend more time in the United States for work.
