Meghan Markle won’t be returning to the UK “anytime soon” despite the reported appointment of a new PR guru to help the Duchess of Sussex rebrand her image in Britain, a leading royal commentator has said. Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers’ comments came amid rumours Meghan is seeking public relations experts to help rebrand the Sussexes in the UK.
Mr Myers told Sky News Australia Harry and Meghan need “a bit” of marketing PR, explaining how over recent months it hasn’t gone well for the pair with the Duchess’s Spotify deal ending and a Netflix deal “on shaky ground”.
He added: “[It’s] very interesting that Meghan thinks that she needs a sort of PR rebrand because we did see her at South by Southwest talking on International Women’s day last week.
“There was Katie Couric, Brooke Shields, as part of the panel as well. Repeating the sort of Procter & Gamble speech that she’d given many, many years ago about changing the landscape in the advertising world.
“I think we’ve all heard that many times, but what does Meghan stand for? I think this is quite an interesting point that she is trying to recreate herself as a feminist.
“We saw in their new website that they’re trying to rebrand themselves. No doubt her new bio was written by her as was the South by Southwest bio as well. So interesting times for Meghan I think.
“I’m not too sure whether we’re going to see her on UK shores anytime soon though.”
A panel featuring Meghan assembled on International Women’s Day to discuss how women and mothers are portrayed in traditional media and across social media, among other issues.
The panel was part of the annual SXSW (South by Southwest) being held in Austin, Texas, and also included actor Brooke Shields, journalist Katie Couric and sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen. SXSW showcases music, film and interactive media.
Meghan — responding to a report on how mothers are portrayed in the media — said the study found working mothers are paid 62 cents to the dollar to what working fathers are paid. She also opened up about abuse on social media when she was pregnant with Prince Archie Harrison.
The report was funded by the Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry and Meghan’s non-profit organisation.
Meanwhile, a new PR executive will reportedly be in charge of the Sussexes’ UK and European media, reporting back to Meghan and Prince Harry’s PR team in the US, according to the Telegraph.
While Meghan’s apparent rebrand appears to be in progress, Prince Harry’s Invictus Games is going from “strength to strength”, according to Mr Myers.
He said: “It is an absolutely incredible meeting of sports competitors from around the world and something that Harry should be very, very proud of.
“London is bidding for the 2027 games. That could obviously bring Harry back to the UK.”
Harry’s tipped return in a few years’ time comes after the Duke made a whirlwind trip to London to see his father, King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Mr Myers said: “Could this be the green shoots of a new relationship between Harry and the rest of the family if he’s got to come over here and have some meetings with the UK Government and beyond?
“I think that Harry would probably welcome that.”
