The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is reportedly planning to visit the United Kingdom next month for the first time in four years, joining her husband Prince Harry for a one-year countdown event to the Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham. The couple is rumored to bring their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. Royal commentators have emphasized that Meghan must avoid any commercial activities during the trip to prevent further backlash.
Previous Backlash in Australia
During Meghan's visit to Australia in April, she faced criticism for using the trip to promote her lifestyle brand. She made a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia, spoke at a women's wellness retreat, and promoted clothing on an affiliate marketing platform. The backlash intensified when an outfit she wore to Bondi Beach was immediately uploaded to the fashion platform after meeting lifeguards and victims of the deadly December 14 attack.
Struggles with As Ever Brand
Earlier this year, Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, experienced a temporary flaw that revealed unsold stock in its warehouse. TalkTV presenter Mark Dolan commented on The Royals Uncensored podcast: "The As Ever brand is struggling, that jam or spread or whatever you want to call it, ain't selling."
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told TalkTV: "If she does show, it tells us how dire her professional and financial situation is that she's having to eat crow to this extent to get on an airplane and go to some place that she claims treated her horribly." Schofield added: "The fact that Meghan is willing to throw her Louis Vuitton on a jet and head over to the UK tells me that this is an admission of defeat that she is struggling so much professionally."
Advice from Royal Commentators
Ingrid Steward told The Mirror that Meghan "really needs a bit of royal stardust sprinkled on her and her business if she wants it to succeed." Royal fans will be watching closely, and given the PR failures in Australia, Meghan must remember that the tour is about supporting Harry's Invictus countdown event, not promoting herself.
