Expert Explains How Harry and Meghan’s Once-Powerful Brand Has Become Commercially Toxic
Prince Harry has settled into a routine of health walks and cycling as part of his new California lifestyle, often spotted enjoying the outdoors near his Montecito mansion. The Duke of Sussex, who has declared the U.S. as his home, appears to be prioritizing wellness while navigating changes in his professional and personal life.
A source shared with The Telegraph, “Normally when you see him around here, he’s walking his Labrador on the beach or on his bicycle followed by his security in a Range Rover.” This serene routine comes as Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly opt for a professional separation following a series of joint ventures that have struggled to gain traction.
PR expert Ed Coram James spoke to The Mirror about the Sussexes’ shift, explaining how their united brand has become increasingly challenging to sustain. “Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand. That brand is based on a duo. Call it ‘Harry and Meghan,’ call it ‘the Sussexes,’ call it whatever you like. The fact is that for years they have become synonymous with one another,” Coram James noted.
However, he added that their brand has faced significant setbacks since their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, which marked a turning point in their public perception. “That brand has been steadily becoming more toxic and thus commercially untenable,” he explained. “To the point where not that many major brands are going to be rushing to write them a large cheque based on their brand value.”
Coram James attributed this decline to their ongoing conflicts with the Royal Family and Meghan’s estranged family, as well as high-profile projects that have underperformed. “The ongoing confrontation with the rest of the Royal Family, as well as much of Meghan’s family, have made them appear confrontational and combative,” he said. He also pointed to their commercial ventures, which “haven’t worked out and have led to a sense that they aren’t the best producers.”
Their public approach has further complicated their image, with Coram James adding, “Their worldwide publicity tour made them look whiney, ungrateful and unconscious to the enormous privilege that they have enjoyed.” As Prince Harry continues to adjust to life in Montecito, his focus on health and well-being appears to be a stabilizing factor. Meanwhile, the professional paths of Harry and Meghan may evolve as they seek to rebuild their brand identities independently of one another.