Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been advised to redirect their focus towards philanthropic endeavors following revelations about their personal lives and allegations against the British monarchy. These revelations, while financially profitable, have potentially damaged their public image.
The couple recently marked their fifth wedding anniversary, three years post their high-profile departure from royal duties. Experts have assessed their public standing since the separation from the royal family.
Duncan Larcombe, royal commentator and author of "Prince Harry: The Inside Story," spoke to Fox News Digital about the erosion of the couple's relationship with the British public. According to him, the Sussexes' explosive claims about the monarchy were seen as a breach of trust in the UK.
"The UK perceived their revelations as trading family secrets for substantial financial gain. That's when their popularity took a nosedive. The damage was done," said Larcombe.
Doug Eldridge, the founder of Achilles PR, concurred with Larcombe's assessment while speaking with Fox News Digital. "Harry and Meghan have profited substantially- tens of millions of dollars- from sharing their narrative, laughing or crying all the way to the bank," he observed.
He further pondered on their future plans. Despite their resources and notoriety, Eldridge suggested philanthropy as a path for the Sussexes. He highlighted Princess Diana, Prince Harry's mother, who was cherished for her humanitarian efforts in Africa. Eldridge suggested that continuing Princess Diana's legacy could pave the way for the Sussexes to establish their own.
"Harry and Meghan can expand on Diana's efforts, thus constructing a strong reputation that withstands the harshest criticisms. Authenticity is inimitable," he added.
Hilary Fordwich, a British royal expert, remained optimistic that the Sussexes could recover from the backlash, suggesting that they could still serve the Commonwealth.
"Once the storm settles, with no more interviews, docuseries, or books, they can quietly serve the Commonwealth, as we all hoped they would," she proposed.
The Sussexes held roles as President and Vice-President of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust established in 2018 but stepped down in early 2021. Their departure coincided with the release of Prince Harry's memoir "Spare" and a Netflix docuseries, both rife with allegations against the royal institution and family. In a subsequent interview, Prince Harry expressed his desire for familial connections rather than institutional ties.
"I yearn for my family, not an institution... There's been no indication of reconciliation," he noted. "I yearn to reconcile with my father and my brother."
