Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's biggest messy PR issue explained

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “hit turbulence” as they try to rebrand themselves and struggle to shed the royal image.

Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to Montecito, America, where they live with their kids Archie and Lilibet.

A PR expert has explained the differences in Royal PR and celebrity PR, explaining why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex struggle with their image.

PR expert Edward Coram James, founder of GoUp, told The Express: "Royal PR is about tradition. It’s about quiet dignity and a sense of service that transcends personality. Royals don’t need to go viral.”

“Celebrity PR, on the other hand, is a different beast. It’s built on visibility, personality and emotional connection. You’re not just selling a message; you are selling yourself over and over again," he explained.

Meghan, 43, has resurfaced this year with multiple projects which experts claim is a rebrand. She launched her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, her lifestyle brand As Ever, and her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

Edward thinks the Sussexes are struggling with their rebrand.

“That’s where, in my opinion, Meghan and Harry hit turbulence. They’ve stepped away from royal duties but still carry the royal shine (and the scrutiny). They’re not fully celebrities, not quite royals anymore, and that middle ground is messy,” he explained.

Edward went on: “Think back to 2021 and the Oprah interview. It marked a shift from service to storytelling, duty to personal narrative. That’s fine, in theory. But if you’re constantly reshaping your image, people start to wonder which version of you is real.”

Edward noted that their dedication to their on-profit organisation, The Archewell Foundation, is the best thing for their image.

Edward explained: "I think their focus on their Archewell Foundation is a key part of their strategy. It allows them to project an image of purpose and impact, which is crucial for long-term brand building."

“In the end, Meghan and Harry are trying to balance being both celebrities and royals, and it’s a tricky situation. Their big move to Hollywood was meant to be a fresh start, a clean break from the royal spotlight. But when they continue to use the HRH title in their private lives, it hints that maybe they’re not quite ready to completely shed that royal image just yet,” he concluded.