PR Expert: Sussexes Risk Irrelevance in UK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing for a return to the UK, potentially by September, with their children Archie and Lilibet. However, PR expert Mayah Riaz suggests their "biggest challenge" is avoiding public irrelevance.

Riaz advises the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to adopt a new PR strategy, moving away from explaining their side of the story. Instead, she recommends letting actions speak for themselves and focusing on consistent, meaningful work.

Recent polls show Harry and Meghan with low favourability ratings, around 33% and 22% respectively. Riaz believes the public sentiment towards them is a complex mix of anger, fatigue, and indifference, making outright dislike a simpler PR problem.

The expert emphasized that the Sussex brand has been built on narratives about the Royal Family. To shift this, they need to demonstrate a move into a new chapter, rather than continually revisiting past grievances.

Riaz suggests that Harry could reconnect with the British public through his established credibility in areas like veterans' affairs and mental health. Meghan, however, faces the task of defining her identity outside her royal connections and role as Harry's wife.

Ultimately, Riaz believes their strongest approach involves building individual credibility and presenting themselves less as a unified package. The expert concluded that the Sussexes' greatest PR hurdle is their attempt to control a narrative that has grown beyond them; instead, they need to show, not tell, a different story.