Meghan Markle decided to stay home while Harry traveled to New York City, the UK, and South Africa. But why? It's not because she was ill or busy with the kids. No, we’re talking about Meghan here. In fact, it seems like a savvy PR move, but it’s one that she’s almost guaranteed to mess up eventually. Surprisingly, none of the media has picked up on this yet.
Has Meghan finally heeded the advice of those pricey PR professionals she’s rumored to have hired? Maybe. With significant events occurring this week, such as Prince William’s Earthshot initiative and Harry's involvement in Climate Week and the Well Child Awards, as well as his stop in South Africa, the media angle was likely to focus on how the brothers’ events could overshadow each other. Had Meghan joined Harry, it would have appeared as if she was trying to upstage Prince William.
By choosing to stay home, Meghan has effectively removed the potential for negative press that would have followed her if she had gone along and attempted to steal the spotlight from Prince William's engagements. This decision has allowed for a more peaceful week in the media, where both brothers can have their solo engagements without the chaos. While it’s still frustrating that Harry is engaging in events that seem out of place for him now, it’s clear that there’s more happening behind the scenes.
As I mentioned earlier, though, I can’t help but think that Meghan is bound to slip up somewhere. If she has, in fact, followed PR guidance, we might soon hear about how gracious she was in staying home to avoid overshadowing anyone. That would be a major misstep. Harry and Meghan have worked tirelessly to reshape their public image, but the results have yet to materialize. Anyone, even the most amicable individuals, would feel frustrated when faced with continuous criticism. Generally, genuinely kind people don’t attract heavy scrutiny. However, Meghan and Harry certainly do, and it’s evident they’re feeling the heat.
Whether Meghan is truly tired of the backlash from her tendency to seek attention, or Harry is simply fed up with her constantly tagging along, or perhaps they both realize how deep a hole they’ve dug themselves, it seems someone finally got through to them. It doesn’t make sense for Meghan to attend an event she’s not directly involved in, and doing so would have invited terrible press. It would have made her appear desperate and diminished their already fragile reputation.
However, just because staying home was the right choice doesn’t mean it’s the entire story. This decision has sparked fresh rumors about a potential split. Regardless of whether their marriage is in jeopardy, it’s clear they are currently in crisis mode. Their public image has been in the gutter for quite some time now. Their popularity has hit rock bottom, and none of their antics have managed to shift the narrative. Thus, they seem to have made a significant decision to split—at least professionally and temporarily.
From a strategic viewpoint, this allows them to evaluate Harry on his own. His press coverage appears to be less negative without Meghan tagging along. It’s perplexing, as it has never made sense for her to attach herself to every single event he attends, especially those he was involved with long before meeting her. Her tendency to insert herself into his engagements often feels inappropriate and off-putting. It’s as if she couldn’t bear to let Harry have anything solely to himself.
When she did join him, she was notorious for conspicuous appearances and orchestrated photo opportunities. Their tendency to do everything together has also drawn criticism regarding their family life and how they raise their children. They often complain about security while spending time away from home together, sometimes visiting places that tourists are advised to avoid. Additionally, Meghan's constant clinginess makes them seem immature in public settings, appearing unprofessional and out of place. Unlike others, they seem to feel the need to hold hands in these situations, which can feel strange. Meghan’s choice of attire often fails to reflect professionalism and appropriateness, leaving her looking foolish and out of touch. This detracts from their credibility and highlights the disconnect between their actions and their stated beliefs. A large part of this perception stems from Meghan's presence and choices.
That said, I’m not letting Harry off the hook. It’s clear that the media coverage shifts when Harry operates independently compared to when Meghan is involved, creating chaos. While Harry displays vindictive and immature behavior in many instances, this trip serves as proof that he receives a warmer reception when alone than when accompanied by Meghan. But why is that? Is it a matter of sexism or racism? Certainly not.
Harry has established a connection with the events he attends, having been involved with some organizations for over a decade. People can grasp his ongoing engagement much better than Meghan, who seems to intrude on events without any prior association. The optics are distinctly different here. While Harry may deliver an awkward speech, he hasn’t displayed the same need for attention as Meghan. He has successfully avoided looking overdressed, opting for a more relatable wardrobe, even if not entirely polished. In contrast, Meghan often overdresses for occasions, wearing wildly inappropriate outfits, which is off-putting.
If Harry were to show up in board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, it would be problematic. However, he has managed to avoid such fashion faux pas so far. It’s true that Harry has a high opinion of himself and craves attention, which doesn’t sit well with people. His behavior and the tantrums he throws don’t earn him much support. For instance, having a massive convoy trailing him through New York City is not a great look, especially when he’s making random stops at tattoo shops, further contributing to a negative carbon footprint while discussing travel sustainability. It’s certainly not ideal, but his absence of outbursts towards the press or bizarre statements—like during his last trip to New York with Meghan, which involved a fabricated car chase—has somewhat improved his image.
All of this signifies a change, whether it’s due to PR advice, Meghan’s frustration over public criticism, or Harry asserting boundaries. Regardless, it’s evident that Harry on his own garners less negative press than he does alongside Meghan or even when she’s solo. Perhaps this will allow them to see the issues clearly, especially how Meghan’s approach invites criticism that seems almost intentional. Rumors are circulating that Harry has taken a lease in the UK, and the media is speculating whether he is attempting to re-enter royal circles, even if he’s permanently banned from royal duties. The long-standing whispers about his nostalgia for his old life have not dissipated. The strain on their relationship, likely stemming from Meghan’s challenging personality and questionable public image management, is apparent.
Is there hope for Harry? I'm not so sure. It feels like it may be too late for him, for her, and for their relationship as a couple. After years of being perceived negatively and developing an unlikable public persona, this past week feels like a mere drop in the ocean—far from an indication of any meaningful change. They would need to apologize as loudly as they have complained to have any hope of mending their image. The press may be attempting to portray a positive narrative, but it won’t work fast enough to offset the years of Harry and Meghan’s missteps.
The issue with the positive press coverage is that it often ignores their glaring mistakes and poor behaviors. It’s perfectly acceptable to acknowledge that someone you admire has made mistakes. The failure to address these issues in positive stories is part of what hinders the softening of the Sussex image. You can generate all the favorable press you want, but until you confront your past errors, people won’t move on. That’s why celebrities who immediately apologize and take responsibility for their missteps—like Kevin Hart, for instance—often manage to navigate beyond their mistakes. However, when you refuse to apologize, as Harry and Meghan have done, it’s challenging to shake off the negative perceptions.
Over the years, Harry and Meghan have invested considerable effort in publicly complaining and orchestrating a smear campaign against their families, the media, and the UK monarchy, including innocent staff members. Ignoring this history is simply not feasible. Claiming that "they've always been nice to me" or "Harry's doing a good job" lacks reliability.
