Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were urged to “take a break” from joint appearances in 2025 and focus on their individual projects as their Sussex brand has been “tainted beyond repair”, a PR expert has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been making a string of solo appearances in the past couple of months and are expected to make more this week.
Harry will head to New York to attend The New York Times DealBook Conference on Wednesday, December 4.
On the same day, the Duchess of Sussex will step out on the opposite side of the coast, in Los Angeles, to attend the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala.
Harry and Meghan’s separate outings are in line with the couple’s apparent renewed strategy of promoting their own projects and interests individually rather than jointly.
Now a PR expert has warned the couple to keep focusing on their individual projects as there is not a lot they can do to salvage their joint brand.
Ed Coram-James, CEO of marketing agency Go Up, told the Mirror: “Meghan and Harry’s brand has been tainted beyond repair.
“The relentless media backlash, fuelled by their misguided PR moves, has left them in a position where joint branding is no longer viable.
“Harry’s attempts to reclaim his reputation after stepping back from royal duties are overshadowed by his relationship with Meghan, whose own controversies — be it with her family or her public opinions — have made them a lightning rod for criticism.”
And he cautioned the couple that if they want to make 2025 their year, they should “focus on what they do best and take a break from their joint projects”.
He explained: “Meghan should lean into her strengths — her acting career, her philanthropic work, and her brand as a trailblazer for women’s rights.
“She could easily tap into Hollywood again, using her acting experience, without the baggage of being a Duchess. Acting offers her the opportunity to shape her image, far from the royal narrative that has been forced upon her. A carefully constructed acting comeback could help her rebuild a fanbase and create a new, more positive legacy.
“Harry, on the other hand, should double down on his work with veterans and conservation. He’s been genuinely committed to these causes, like his beloved Invictus Games, long before all the royal drama, and they continue to resonate with people. His role as a war veteran and conservation advocate provides authenticity, which is something the public values.”
