Sussexes join agency where the fees for a single speech top £300,000
THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed up with a top US public speaking agency that has a raft of A-list clients on its books.
As part of their break with the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan will earn their own income and are expected to do so partly by giving speeches.
It is thought the couple wish to focus on social issues, including racial and gender inequality, the environment and mental health – subjects close to their hearts and which they championed as fulltime royals.
They have signed up to the Harry Walker Agency, founded in 1946, which bills itself as the ‘world’s leading speakers’ bureau’.
The New York-based agency’s clients include former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, their wives Michelle and Hillary, as well as Meghan’s friend, tennis star Serena Williams.
Conservationist Jane Goodall and TV star Oprah Winfrey are among the couple’s other connecfrom
‘Obama and Clinton on the books’
tions represented by the firm. It has previously been reported that President Obama earned $400,000 (£321,800) for a single speech in 2017, while the Clintons averaged $250,000 (£201,000) per appearance in 2014.
After Harry announced his break the Royal Family, Jeff Jacobson, of the Talent Bureau speaking agency, predicted the prince could receive up to $500,000 (£382,000) for a single engagement. A source told the Los Angeles Times that the couple will take part in ‘moderated discussions’ and keynote speeches with trade associations, corporations and community forums.
The Sussexes will talk about topics that are important in their lives and in the world, said the source.
It is understood they are not planning to talk about life in the Royal Family. In February, it emerged Prince Harry had given a speech for the world’s largest bank, JP Morgan, at a five-star hotel in Miami. He talked about his mental health battles and how he had been in therapy after the death of his mother, Diana.
In recent months, Harry and Meghan have taken part in video calls with charities they support and have launched their charitable foundation, Archewell.
Meghan told graduates at her alma mater Immaculate Heart High School in LA that she was saddened by racial divisions in the US and was moved to speak out after the death of George Floyd.
After leaving the UK, the pair moved to Canada and then to California. Their representatives were contacted for comment.