Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are gearing up for what insiders are calling a “pivotal” year of redemption in a bid to mend their public image and chart a new course in 2024.
Four years have passed since the dramatic “Megxit” announcement, and amid ongoing family turmoil and career setbacks, the couple is determined to acknowledge their missteps and rebuild bridges with the public and the Royal Family.
“As we enter 2024, we have so many exciting things on the slate. I can’t wait until we can announce them,” said Meghan at Variety magazine’s Power of Women event in Los Angeles, setting the stage for a year of potential progress.
As the Duchess of Sussex declared their ambitions for the new year, sources close to the couple emphasised the significance of 2024 as a “year of redemption.”
PR expert Mark Borkowski said they need a dramatic shift: “2024 is a pivotal year for them. They need to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic because what they’re doing is clearly not working.”
READ MORE: Prince Harry’s royal comeback ‘significant’ as Meghan Markle shifts ‘focus’
The couple is expected to announce a key area of focus for the Archewell Foundation, and insiders anticipate a more mature and thoughtful decision-making process in 2024.
As the couple aims to reset their image, Meghan’s strategic moves, including trademarking The Tig and potential involvement in the wellness influencer space, suggest a shift in focus.
“Go back to basics – focus on what they’re good at,” advised brand and culture expert Nick Ede, noting Meghan’s success in projects combining fashion, food, and philanthropy in Britain.
He added: “The public only seem to care what they do when it involves their time as royals, yet the sense they’re constantly badmouthing them is precisely what’s diminishing their appeal.”
PR expert Mark Borkowski echoed this sentiment: “One thing is clear: Harry and Meghan can’t have another year of taking swipes and talking about issues which don’t resonate. It’s time to build something more positive.”
While the couple’s move to California initially promised an idyllic lifestyle, the results of their high-profile deals have been mixed. Experts suggest a potential return to Los Angeles could signal availability for work, with speculation about Meghan’s desire to return to her acting roots.
Last year proved challenging for the couple, with their $20 million Spotify deal being axed and a reported £8.7million fall in donations to their charitable Archewell Foundation.
Pearl, the animated series Meghan created for Netflix, faced cancellation, and The Hollywood Reporter listed them among 2023’s “biggest losers”.
In response to setbacks, Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was reported to have moved in with them at their Montecito mansion to help the couple through their “tough times”.
