Meghan Markle’s absence from husband Prince Harry‘s New York trip and recent engagements prove the couple is looking to build their brand around a more modern culture. For years, Harry and Meghan have approached the public as a formidable brand, attending several engagements, interviews, and tours as a joint force. However, things changed slightly in recent times, with Harry going solo on various outings. Most notably, the prince journeyed down to New York City trip this week to honor various engagements supporting causes he holds dear while promoting his and Meghan’s brand.
While the Duke of Sussex has shone through these activities, experts believe the solo outing would have a not-so-pleasant ripple effect. Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop discussed this problematic aftermath and how it affects the Sussexes’ brand during a sit-down with The Mirror. According to her, the Duke has no doubt made quite the impact these few days without his wife, showing how much these engagements mean for their brand. With such exposure, one would naturally expect Meghan to join him at these important moments. But that has not been the case.
The royal historian acknowledged that the world has indeed moved past the era of having women play comely wives by shadowing their husbands at important events. However, having Meghan Markle and her husband decide to do just that passed a different message. She noted,
“Surely we are passed the era when a comely wife is handmaiden to her husband’s grandstanding? Apparently not when it comes to the Duke and Duchess.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Redefine the Sussex Brand With Recent Activities
The royal historian explained how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent years building a brand around “togetherness,” promoting themselves as a joint force against the institution since Megxit. Their recent actions notably do not fall in line with that narrative, putting the Sussex brand at stake in the long run. The expert claimed,
“It was very much together, under the gaze of the world’s media, that the couple walked away from the Royal Family. For better or for worse, Harry and Meghan became synonymous with rebellion, identity politics and woke culture. The Sussexes versus the Establishment was a global phenomenon.”
Having Prince Harry venture out on his own, as he’s done in New York and at the Kevin Costner’s ranch could send him several paces back to the reputation he had pre-Meghan. According to Tessa, on his own, the Duke of Sussex had simply been the “spare.” However, his union with Hollywood actress Meghan Markle transformed him from a second-rung royal into a formidable force. Hence, going solo again could prove problematic for their already thin Sussex brand. Tessa claimed,
“Together they were mega. Megabucks and mega stars. Nothing could stop them, not even a ‘manly pep talk’ from that other renegade, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But out on his own again, the Duke’s brand looks, well, a little thin, no matter how good Harry is at his American royal-adjacent role (very, as it turns out).”
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Prince Harry Sheds Wife Meghan Markle to Prove He’s Still Relevant: ‘That’s a Fast-Depleting Factor’Recall that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently revealed that Buckingham Palace enlisted him to have a “manly pep talk” with Prince Harry back in 2020. The talk, intended to dissuade the prince from going ahead with his planned step back from royal duties took place at a UK-Africa investment summit in London. The last-ditch attempt, dubbed “an informal catch-up” clearly failed and Prince Harry fled to California with his wife and son to resume a new life the very next day.
Four years down the line, Prince Harry is set to return to his home country for a guest appearance at the WellChild Awards, one of the few patronages he’s maintained since Megxit. In what has become their new “modus operandi” Meghan Markle won’t accompany her husband on this trip but will remain in Montecito with their kids Archie and Lilibeth. This further proves the Sussexes’ eagerness to promote a different brand image unless the looming divorce rumors hold water.
