Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the UK, and a PR expert has outlined three key steps they must take to win back the British public.
Return to the UK after six years
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who quit royal life six years ago, will return to the UK at the end of August with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. The family is expected to live in a private, non-royal residence and are not anticipated to return to life as working royals.
After a number of commercial moves, including a Netflix documentary and creating a lifestyle brand, the couple will likely need a new way to generate income.
Three key moves from PR expert
Riannon Palmer, PR expert and founder of Lem-Uhn, suggested the next step for them with three key moves. She said: “The best move for Harry and Meghan would be to resist launching another project that feels overly self-promotional or giving a major interview immediately after returning to the UK. If they genuinely want to rebuild their reputation here, this needs to feel like a homecoming rather than a publicity campaign.”
Palmer added: “Brits generally seem to fall into two camps when it comes to Harry and Meghan: those who sympathise with them and those who believe they are simply seeking publicity. Showing that they are genuinely passionate about the causes they champion could go a long way towards winning over more of the UK.
“They also tend to connect well with people when we see their real personalities. Less media-trained moments, such as Harry’s recent appearance with Joe Marler, help them stand out from the other royals and allow the public to see a more natural and relatable side to them.”
Income and rebuilding trust
Palmer noted: “Of course, they will still need to generate an income. Following Harry’s unsuccessful legal challenge over police protection, they are likely to face significant private security costs in the UK, so some form of commercial career will be necessary. However, they should have the financial means to avoid rushing into the first opportunity that comes their way.”
She continued: “For the first few months, I would focus on rebuilding trust and popularity with the British public. That could mean quietly supporting British charities and communities without making themselves the centre of every story. Harry’s work with veterans is where he appears most credible, while Meghan could champion a small number of causes that feel authentic to her.
“It may also benefit them to establish clearer individual identities rather than approaching every opportunity as ‘Harry and Meghan’. If they take their time and allow their actions to speak for them, they could create a much stronger foundation for future commercial opportunities and expand their work gradually. Another interview revisiting their relationship with the Royal Family, however, could undo that goodwill very quickly.”
