Meghan Markle may have walked away from royal life six years ago, but her return to the UK could create a significant challenge for the monarchy, according to a royal commentator. The Sussexes do not need a Palace apartment, balcony spot or even a royal job to cause an almighty headache for the Firm; simply putting Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, back on British soil makes them harder to ignore, writes Alicia Liberty.
Battle for Headlines Intensifies
Suddenly every outing becomes a potential royal reunion, every appearance a comparison and every carefully curated Meghan outfit will compete for column inches with Princess Catherine, 44. The commentator argues that Meghan surrendered the job, but she never surrendered the title, intrigue, or extraordinary pull that comes from being a duchess.
If Britain is about to become the Sussexes' playground once again, Meghan knows exactly how valuable being closer to the Crown could prove, Liberty suggests.
Commercial Opportunities in Britain
Commercially, Britain could be a goldmine for Meghan. She has spent years selling the Montecito dream through her Netflix show With Love, Meghan and her lifestyle brand As Ever. But there are only so many lemons one can squeeze before the Californian dream starts looking a little stale, the article notes.
Britain hands her a shiny new aesthetic: country houses, roaring fires, afternoon tea, kitchen gardens, and the quintessentially British look that her followers on social media will lap up. With Love, Meghan: The British Edition practically writes itself, and As Ever has an entire British market to conquer.
None of this is confirmed, but Meghan has never been allergic to reinvention, and commercially the opportunity is almost too obvious to ignore.
Proximity to Royalty as Currency
In California, the Sussexes trade on having been royal; back in Britain, they are suddenly rubbing shoulders with royalty again. Proximity to the Crown remains a currency money cannot buy, Liberty writes.
British high society also presents opportunities. Before Megxit, the Sussexes rubbed shoulders with everyone from George and Amal Clooney to David and Victoria Beckham and Elton John, occupying a sweet spot where royalty, celebrity and serious influence collide. Some friendships have cooled since, but a UK return gives Meghan the chance to build a fresh little black book.
This is where Catherine might want to sharpen her elbows, metaphorically, because Meghan is about to re-enter a battle for attention she knows rather well. The Princess of Wales remains the monarchy's female powerhouse, capable of turning an outfit, appearance or a carefully chosen cause into global news. Meghan cannot compete with Catherine's constitutional position, but the headlines are up for grabs.
Impact on the Monarchy
King Charles has spent years trying to reposition the monarchy beyond the Sussex soap opera, while Catherine has become the Firm's secret weapon. Throw Harry and Meghan back into the mix and suddenly Catherine could own the headlines at breakfast, only for Meghan to snatch them back by lunchtime, while an important speech from the King risks being elbowed aside by the latest twist in the Sussex saga.
The Sussexes are entitled to live wherever they please, but anyone pretending their return would not shake up the royal pecking order is kidding themselves, Liberty concludes. After six years of building a monarchy without the Sussexes, Charles could discover there is a rather awkward price attached to welcoming his son home. Harry and Meghan might not be working royals anymore, but they could very quickly start stealing the show from those who are.
