A public relations expert has suggested that Meghan Markle's flood of social media posts to mark her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry backfired because it felt like a 'deliberate campaign' rather than an organic tribute. The Duchess of Sussex shared 24 previously unseen photos and several videos on Instagram on Tuesday, May 19, prompting widespread criticism online, with some calling the move 'cringe' and 'embarrassing'.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told the Daily Express that the volume of posts was where the strategy fell down. 'One heartfelt anniversary tribute would likely have landed far better than a rapid-fire stream of photos and videos,' he said. 'Instead of feeling organic, it started to feel like a deliberate campaign, and that's why so many people online described it as 'cringe' or 'fake'.'
Ede added that the Duchess operates in a space where her every move is scrutinised, and subtlety would work more effectively for her than saturation. The backlash came just days after Meghan delivered a speech in Switzerland urging global health leaders to protect children online, warning they are being shaped by systems 'designed to capture attention at any cost'.
On her return from Switzerland to California, the Duchess made a brief stop in Britain to catch a connecting flight to Los Angeles.
