Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are currently facing a significant challenge in restoring their public image on both sides of the Atlantic. Following a plunge in their popularity in the UK, as evidenced by a recent YouGov survey where 68%of respondents viewed Meghan negatively, the couple is being advised to undertake a comprehensive brand overhaul.
The couple’s decision in 2020 to step back from royal duties and relocate to Montecito, California, marked a pivotal shift in their public lives. Their candidness about their royal experiences and subsequent projects in the US have often stirred controversy and debate. Now, more than a year after the release of Harry’s revealing memoir, “Spare,” PR experts suggest it’s time for a strategic reset.
Lynn Carratt, a seasoned PR professional from Press Box PR, spoke tothe Mirror outlining a recovery strategy for the Sussexes. “It’s time for them to really focus on a brand rebuild,” Carratt stated, indicating that a move towards transparency about their challenges could foster greater relatability. “To become more relatable to the British public, they could become more open about their everyday struggles and show themselves as working parents facing the same challenges as others would also help. We don’t need a constantly polished image,” she explained.
Harry and Meghan’s new chapter: Embracing authenticity and strategic alliances
Carratt also emphasized the importance of the couple distancing themselves from their royal connections. She advised that Meghan could enhance her popularity by not overly leveraging her royal status, suggesting that their relaunched website and new TV shows should focus more on their personal passions rather than their royal past. This approach could potentially reveal a new, more relatable side to the couple.
The PR expert also highlighted the need for strategic public appearances and associations. “Harry and Meghan will start making more public appearances as their brand rebuilds; they will also be on the lookout for new commercial deals,” Carratt noted. The right events, brands, and charities, along with efforts to build bridges back with the Royal Family, could be instrumental in their image overhaul.
As they navigate this transitional phase, Carratt’s final words resonate with a forward-moving strategy: “In the past year or so Harry has started to move out on his own and that is a good thing to see. For now, the couple need to continue moving forward.”
The coming months will likely be crucial for Meghan and Harry as they implement these strategies in hopes of regaining the affection and trust of the public in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
