Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been leading increasingly separate professional lives of late, with the married couple having been seen at numerous events without each other since the Duke’s 40th birthday last month.

While the prince went on solo tours to New York, the United Kingdom and Africa, Meghan stayed home with the couple’s children in their grand Montecito mansion, and even spent a night out on a red carpet without her husband at his side.

Although rumors of a personal rift between the two men have been hushed up, the decision to part ways could have been driven by business reasons.

Ed Coram James, public relations expert told the Mirror: “Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand. That brand is based on a duo. Call it ‘Harry and Meghan,’ call it ‘the Sussexes,’ call it whatever you want. The fact is that ever since For years they have become synonymous with each other.

“And since the famous Oprah interview, in which they spoke of a latent disagreement between them and the rest of the Royal family and essentially declared all-out war, this brand has become increasingly toxic and therefore commercially untenable to the point where few big brands will rush to write them a big check based on their brand value.

“When combined, the Sussexes’ brands are, from a PR perspective, toxic. But when separated, they have a real chance of creating an entirely separate brand, with completely different labels.”

THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. FOLLOW BELOW FOR MORE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.