Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face their “biggest struggle” yet, as the pair appear to branch out into different career paths, a PR expert has claimed.
Since Harry’s 40th birthday last month, he has been seen making solo visits to New York, the United Kingdom, and Africa. Meghan, on the other hand, has stayed at their home in Montecito with the two children, and even spent an evening at a red carpet event without Harry.
It comes as they have spent years building a “distinct brand” as a duo. PR expert Ed Coram James told The Mirror the pair had spent a considerable amount of time portraying themselves as “Harry and Meghan” or “the Sussexes”.
Meghan has however since branched out into the lifestyle market, unveiling her brand American Riviera Orchard and an unnamed Netflix cooking show, while Harry continues with his philanthropic work.
Public relations guru John Harrington, from PR Week, now believes the move apart offers a “confused” message. Speaking on ITV documentary Harry and Meghan: Going Their Separate Ways?, he said: “There’s so much baggage with their conflicts with the Royal Family.
“We don’t really know if they’re going to be able to shed the baggage that they have and to move forward with the lifestyle influencer side of things, but it’s definitely their biggest single challenge when it comes to their public relations.”
Harry is believed to have signed a four-book deal in 2021 that led to the release of Spare. It means the Duke still has three more books expected to come, with more Netflix series – including one looking at polo.
Vanity Fair Royal Correspondent, Katie Nicholl added: “They have to be coming up with original content. That deal with Netflix will only continue while they are coming up with content.”
Nicholl says Harry is “at his best” when he is at charity events and promoting causes close to his own heart. She said: “When we see Harry on his own, we often see Harry at his best.
“Doing the projects that he’s passionate about, doing the work that he absolutely loves and reminding us all of the old Prince Harry that I think many people really miss.”
Branding expert Nick Ede however believes that Meghan is also “going back to her roots” after she ran lifestyle blog The Tig before joining the Royal Family. He added: “Hopefully it will be a positive thing for her because people will want to be part of her life.”
Harry and Meghan: Going Their Separate Ways? airs on Channel 5 at 9.10pm tonight.