Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been cautioned about the increasingly negative impact of their public image, with warnings that they have become too controversial to be marketable.
Public relations expert Ed Coram James shared his insights during an interview with GB News, expressing concerns about the trajectory of the couple's brand. According to James, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had initially established a clear and recognizable brand identity centered around their partnership. "Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand," he explained. "Whether you refer to them as ‘Harry and Meghan’ or simply ‘the Sussexes,’ the fact remains that they are now inseparable in the public eye."
James highlighted that their brand took a sharp turn following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they aired grievances against the British royal family. "The Oprah interview marked a significant turning point," James noted. "They escalated what was previously a simmering disagreement into what can only be described as an all-out conflict with the Royal Family." This, he argued, has caused their brand to become "increasingly toxic and, as a result, commercially less viable."
James pointed out that the couple’s combined image might no longer attract lucrative deals. "At this point, not many major brands are likely to be eager to invest heavily in them, given the current state of their brand value," he explained. However, he suggested that if the couple were to distance themselves from each other in the professional arena, there could be a chance for reinvention. "As a pair, the Sussex brand is perceived as toxic from a PR standpoint," James elaborated. "But if they were to establish separate identities, they could have the opportunity to create entirely new brands, each with a different focus and audience."
In conclusion, James warned that while the couple's unified brand might be struggling, pursuing individual paths could allow each of them to redefine their public image and regain commercial appeal.
