Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are locked in a battle, but it’s one of their own making, says former Downing Street communications director Giles Kenningham. He argues that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s strategy is backfiring because the Royal Family is not engaging with their provocations.
In an interview with GB News, Kenningham said, “It feels like Harry and Meghan are fighting a war against themselves because the royal family aren’t really reacting.”
According to a report by Express, he believes the Sussexes’ popularity has plummeted in the UK, questioning if they can recover. The couple also has limited options left in the US after being dropped by Spotify.
“We’re seeing this move by them to become relevant, but the way they are is by becoming shriller and shriller. I don’t think it works,” Kenningham stated.
Critics have blasted the royal couple over their silence following the release of Omid Scobie’s explosive new book, Endgame, last week. The book takes aim at the Royal Family, yet they haven’t responded to any outrageous claims. However, Meghan and Harry have also been quiet, which a royal source called “deafening.”
The insider told the Telegraph, “For the couple that talked about ‘death by a thousand no comments’, the silence at this point is deafening.” Another added that given the Sussexes’ past complaints about the Firm not commenting when they got negative press, their lack of rebuttal now is glaring.
Royal experts believe the Sussexes’ strategy of attacking the monarchy has failed. PR advisor Edward Coram-James said their “wrecking ball approach” has left little value in their brand. He thinks choosing a path that “didn’t align with their status” has backfired.
“When you punch down, you usually demote yourself. As such, the Sussexes have gone from being treated like, well, the hybrid of Hollywood royalty and actual royalty that they are, to being treated like tabloid fodder,” Coram-James explained.
The PR expert warned that to dispel rumors of issues with Prince Harry, Meghan should attend events important to him. “Just because the optics may not reflect the reality, doesn’t mean that they should not have paid more attention to the optics,” he said.
Despite the appearances being “deceiving,” James believes shunning Prince Harry could further damage Meghan’s goal of reestablishing herself.
Royal author Scobie, a longtime Sussex supporter, admits even insiders say their vision for life post-royal family “hadn’t quite gone to plan.” Scobie reported sources close to the couple conceded their dreams have failed to materialize thus far.
The Duke and Duchess spent their first years after Megxit repeatedly criticizing senior royals while pursuing Hollywood business deals. However, they’ve faced major setbacks, like Spotify dropping them and their Netflix series bombing.
Scobie said, “When I spoke to people in their orbit they admit that it hadn’t quite gone to plan. They really need to establish what their purpose is.”
While the Royal Family seems to have moved on from the Sussexes’ allegations, Scobie contends Prince Harry still has unfinished business, particularly with Prince William.
Scobie told People, “Quite early on in the book writing process, it became clear that Harry was still dealing with a lot of unfinished business regarding his brother. There are still a lot of unresolved issues there.”
The author insists the siblings’ relationship is far from healed. He revealed, “There is still a huge wedge between them. There continues to be a huge gulf between William and Harry. They are not talking — no phone calls, no text messages.”
Royal watchers believe Prince Harry and Meghan Markle need to chart a new path forward. Kinsey Schofield, a journalist who covers the Sussexes, said the couple appears “completely mortified” by the reaction to Harry’s memoir, Spare, which they expected would increase their celebrity status.
“I think she thought this book would elevate them and heighten their celebrity status, but ultimately, it’s made them the butt of the joke,” Schofield commented.
She thinks the Sussexes need to reevaluate their priorities. “I’m sure both Meghan and Harry are completely mortified about this. I don’t think Harry thought Sasha would ever come forward. It’s been made a bigger deal than he intended it to be. Meghan will be extremely embarrassed by the response it’s had. This is not the kind of attention she wants.”
As the Sussexes reflect on their next moves, experts say they need to carefully consider their goals. While they may have found freedom from the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan now must determine what purpose they want to serve with their independence.
