Meghan Markle, who with Prince Harry stepped back from the Royal Family in 2020, has been warned to be ‘cautious’ if she decides to return to Britain.
The Duchess of Sussex hasn’t stepped foot in the UK since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
But a source claimed on Monday that 2024 could be the year she makes a ‘sensational’ trip back to Britain. It’s expected she and Harry may visit in May to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
A PR expert told the Daily Express that the actor flying across the pond would be a ‘significant move’.
‘Whether it’s deemed “good” for the Duchess hinges on several factors, including the narrative surrounding her return and how it’s managed both by her team and the media,’ Renae Smith, founder and director of the marketing agency Atticism, told the newspaper.
‘The British public’s reception to Meghan’s return would likely vary widely. Public opinion is influenced by media portrayal, past events, and the reasons cited for her visit.’
Experts have long said Harry and Markle’s relationship with the British press has been shaky, to say the least.
The couple has blamed the tabloids’ relentless attacks against Markle as among the reasons they decided to leave the UK, with Harry criticising the ‘racial undertones’ of past coverage.
But for Smith, it’s not just the press Markle would have to worry about – it’s the British public, too.
In an August poll by YouGov, about two in 10 Britons held a positive view towards her while nearly seven thought of her in a negative light.
‘I think Meghan is quite polarising here in the UK – and she will either garner support or criticism – dependent on how her PR team rolls the whole thing out,’ Smith said.
Markle should do five things if she books flights to the UK anytime soon.
She must be ‘clear and open’ about why she has decided to come back, as well as address any past statements about not returning, Smith advised.
Charity work is a must, she added, as is intentional engagement with the press such as interviews or opinion pieces and ‘public or private gestures of reconciliation or unity’
‘Utilising social media platforms to share her experiences and motivations directly with the public can help bypass traditional media biases, allowing for a more direct connection with her audience,’ Smith concluded.
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