Meghan Markle will reportedly face a "very difficult" reality check when she returns to the UK later this month, according to a royal expert. The Duchess of Sussex is relocating to the UK six years after leaving the country for a new life in America with her husband, Prince Harry.
Harry and Meghan will live in a private, non-royal residence outside of London, and their status as non-working royals will remain unchanged. The move has sparked debate about how the British public will react to the U-turn, given the criticism the Sussexes have levelled at the Royal Family and the monarchy.
Public Perception and Polling
A YouGov poll last month found that only 22% of Britons see Meghan in a positive light, compared with 65% who hold an unfavourable opinion of the former actress. Meanwhile, 33% see Harry positively and 58% negatively.
PR and brand expert Nick Ede told Hello! magazine: "I see it as a huge challenge because they have to really change the public's perception of them. I think for Meghan, it's going to be much harder for her to establish herself in any shape or form."
Challenges Ahead
The expert said the move is going to be "very difficult" for the duchess after she had been "so vocal about her feelings towards the UK and the UK Press, especially."
Mr Ede added: "It's a challenge optically for them as it looks like they've come back with their tail between their legs, no matter how much you spin it and say the children want to know their heritage and be in the country where they're from."
Ongoing Arrangements
The Sussexes are keeping their homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal, while the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.
A new YouGov poll, carried out the day after the surprise U-turn, showed 33% believe the King's youngest son and the former Suits star should not come back, while 45% do not know. Fewer than a quarter (21%) were in favour of the Sussexes relocating from the US.
