Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent "cosy" glimpse of their life in Britain, shared on Instagram, is being interpreted by public relations experts as an attempt to relaunch their brand, which they describe as "wounded" following a perceived lack of success in achieving stardom in the U.S. California, their former home, is seen by some as a potential "kiss of death" for their aspirations of widespread recognition in the American entertainment industry.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, shared a montage of intimate family clips with her 4.8 million Instagram followers. The video featured imagery associated with Britain, including a Union flag and heart emojis, contrasting with their previous life in California. The clips depicted activities such as splashing in puddles, enjoying fireside moments, fishing, bike rides, and country walks with their Labrador, Pula.
PR guru Mark Borkowski suggested that the portrayal of idyllic family life in the UK was a deliberate effort to project happiness. However, he also believes their return to Britain underscores a failure to attain the level of success they had hoped for in the U.S.
"The Harry and Meghan brand isn't dead, but it has begun to resemble a glittering palace chandelier hanging by one screw: glamorous, expensive and increasingly unwise to stand underneath," Borkowski stated. He added that retreating from the "Californian ecosystem" could lead to momentum evaporating quickly. He also noted that Hollywood is filled with British stars who found that being welcomed does not equate to immediate success.
Eric Schiffer, chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek that Meghan may have missed her opportunity to become an A-list celebrity by leaving the U.S. "This is the kiss of death to stardom in America for both of them," Schiffer said. He suggested that while a B-list acting career might be possible, significant challenges are anticipated due to a perceived lack of public interest. "Their strength was in giving back, and I think they were happiest when they did that," he added, speculating that they might find their way back to such endeavors.
The Instagram montage showed children Archie and Lilibet enjoying autumn in the UK. One clip featured a child's wellies jumping in a puddle, while another showed the Duke and Duchess walking hand-in-hand. Lilibet was seen by a fire, and Archie was shown running in a pink shirt and blue wellies. The family's dog, Pula, was also featured.
The couple's return to the UK follows a period of public disagreement with the Royal Family. King Charles reportedly stated that Harry and Meghan are now "private citizens" who do not represent the monarchy, a stance that insiders claim led to Uganda's withdrawal from Prince Harry's Invictus Games. Uganda's chief of defence cited a desire not to be construed as opposing King Charles III as the reason for the withdrawal.
The Sussexes have expressed surprise at the King's letter, which they believe has ended any hope of a "half in, half out" arrangement. Sources close to the couple stated that the Ugandan competitors are the ones suffering from this decision. Harry and Meghan moved to the U.S. six years ago seeking personal and financial freedom, before their recent return to the UK.
Despite the ongoing disputes, Harry has public engagements scheduled, including the Invictus Spirit Awards and the launch of the Invictus education program INSPIRE. Meghan is reportedly considering a return to charity work, with a desire to rekindle support for causes she was previously passionate about, such as Smart Works, a charity supporting women seeking employment.
This period of activity for Harry coincides with public engagements for other members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Catherine's visit to the Isle of Bute and King Charles's attendance at a meeting on artificial intelligence. Concerns about security funding for Harry and his family during visits to the UK remain a point of contention, with Harry having previously described it as the last "sticking point" in his family feuds.