Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been urged to do these three things to boost the Sussexes’ popularity, after facing the “wrath of the public” in recent years.
The Duchess of Sussex’s popularity has fallen to an all-time low, as the people with a negative view of Meghan make up 68 per cent, according to a YouGov survey published earlier this month.
Reports have claimed she now wants to hire a stellar publicist to promote a new business venture in 2024 that is said to have been months in the making.
A PR expert has now said Meghan and Harry are “absolutely right” to relaunch the Sussex brand in the UK but will need to avoid the American PR strategy to get the public back on their side.
Meghan has not travelled to Britain since the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022 and previously vowed she would “never step foot in England again”.
Carla Speight exclusively told Express.co.uk that at the heart of the couple’s strategy should be philanthropy. Still, they will need someone who understands the British media and is “prepared for the battle ahead to turn public opinion back”.
She shared: “If Matt Hancock can turn public opinion after breaking lockdown rules to conduct an affair, with the right PR behind them, Harry and Meghan will be able to remind the public of who they really are. From there, opinions will change for the better.
“This isn’t the first time a Royal exiteer has suffered the wrath of the public.”
The expert referenced the late Princess Diana, who was able to sway the public’s opinion in her favour, with her notable charity work and worthy causes including the opening of the UK’s first purpose-built HIV/AIDS unit at London’s Middlesex Hospital in 1987.
“All is not lost for the couple, despite a rough few years, they still have many supporters out there and the public is growing tired of the constant bashing they are getting,” she added.
The expert pinpointed the three things Meghan and Harry must do before she returns to Britain in to boost the public’s perception.
“The first thing I’d do is to showcase the humanitarian work they have continued to do, despite everything else,” Carla explained. “That’s what offered the foundations for their relationship to grow from.”
She continued: “Meghan is a UN ambassador for Women, Harry still lives a life of service.
“Similarly to what Diana did, I’d encourage cooperation with the press to shine a light on the important charities they support. There’s simply no way anyone can critique the positive work they do, despite it being largely overlooked in recent years, in favour of all the Hollywood drama.
“It’s going to take some time to rebuild their reputations and trust, but getting to the heart of what they stand for and showing consistency is key.”
The expert added she would not go down the Hancock route of the royal couple “eating bugs” with a “well-rehearsed PR script” like the Conservative MP did when he appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Carla added: “From there, they have a foundation to rebuild public opinion, which allows them the opportunity to spend more time with Charles during his cancer battle. As well as continuing to do incredible work for the causes they support.”
The expert also highlighted what the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex must avoid to gain favour with the British public.
“The problem Harry faced was that his PR was managed by Americans, who simply don’t understand the British culture or the British press,” she explained. “He went from being told what to say and what not to say, to having the freedom to say whatever he wanted. Made worse with the Americanism of ’speak your truth’, which seemingly came with little guidance or advice.”
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly looking for professional help to gain more positive publicity in Britain for herself and for Archewell, the foundation which she runs with Prince Harry in California.
Harry’s much-hailed Invictus Games could be hosted in Birmingham in 2027. Meanwhile, the duke visits the WellChild Awards each summer in the UK.
