Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent individual appearances have certainly sparked curiosity, particularly in light of Meghan’s previous remarks that they always “move together.”
The couple has been seen separately on numerous occasions recently. Just last month, Prince Harry was away from Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for at least two weeks, making public appearances in New York, London, and Southern Africa.
During his travels, Meghan was scarcely seen, although she did attend a star-studded gala in support of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, donning a stunning red gown as she posed for photographers. It was also revealed that she made a solo visit to a girls’ leadership organization to commemorate International Day of the Girl.
Meghan Markle ‘feels strain’ of Prince Harry ‘living separate lives’ as couple ‘upset’ by marriage speculation
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s local newspaper reports on gossip they’re ‘going separate ways’
This has also sparked chatter in the United States, with the couple’s local newspaper, the Montecito Journal, picking up on the gossip about the couple leading “increasingly separate lives.” However, according to PR expert Ed Coram James, the separate appearances appear to be part of a strategic plan – with their joint brand now perceived as ‘toxic.’
He told The Mirror: “Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand. That brand is based on a duo. Call it ‘Harry and Meghan,’ call it ‘the Sussexes’, call it whatever you like. The fact is that for years they have become synonymous with one another.”
“And, since the famous Oprah interview, in which they took a simmering disagreement between themselves and the rest of the Royal Family and essentially declared all-out-war, that brand has been steadily becoming more toxic and thus commercially untenable. To the point where not that many major brands are going to be rushing to write them a large cheque based on their brand value.”
“This is because the ongoing confrontation with the rest of the Royal Family, as well as much of Meghan’s family, have made them appear confrontational and combative, and their string of commercial projects that haven’t worked out and have led to a sense that they aren’t the best partners. And their worldwide publicity tour made them look whiney, ungrateful, and oblivious to the enormous privilege that they have enjoyed.”
But despite their troubles, Ed, the CEO of PR firm Go Up, says there’s hope yet for the Sussex brand. He advises: “To overcome the obstacles of appearing spoiled, arrogant, immature, attention-seeking, aggressive, fight-picking, hypocritical and incompetent is very tricky,” and added: “But, it is achievable. To do it, they need to lean into the exact opposites of these labels. The first step in this always had to be to dissociate themselves from the brand that had achieved such labels in the first place.”
“When combined, the Sussexes brand is, from a PR perspective, toxic. But, when separate, they have a genuine chance of creating an entirely separate brand, with completely different labels. If they manage to achieve this, then one day they could again reunite brands, and create a new combined brand that works.”
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