Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has recently been making headlines with a series of solo appearances at high-profile events, fueling speculation about the potential "relaunch" of her personal brand. Notably absent from these outings has been her husband, Prince Harry, leading to discussions about the future direction of the Sussex brand.
Eric Schiffer, a crisis management analyst, spoke about Meghan's recent solo attendance at the Variety's "Power of Women" event in Los Angeles. Schiffer highlighted that Meghan's independent appearances could signal a strategic shift for the Sussex brand, which has faced challenges over the past year. "It's clearly time for a relaunch of Brand Sussex, and Meghan's solo appearance speaks volumes about the direction they are headed," he said. He also emphasized the need for Archewell, their production company, to produce a hit soon.
Body language expert Judi James provided insights into Meghan's adeptness at handling potentially awkward public moments, terming it 'the Recovery'. This was evident when Meghan was reportedly urged to move along the red carpet to make way for other celebrities. "Meghan's moment on the red carpet here sees her seem to try to launch herself as an A-list actress rather than as a royal," James remarked.
Mark Borkowski, a leading PR expert in Britain, suggested that Meghan's recent flurry of appearances could be a tactical move to signal her interest in returning to TV and film. "It's a tactic and again underlines this constant need for recognition and more importantly, connection to fundraising activities," he explained. He believes these appearances are part of a broader strategy to create excitement and attract new lucrative projects.
Meghan's recent appearances at high-profile events in Hollywood, including an engagement at the Variety Power of Women gala without Prince Harry, have been part of a calculated effort to generate buzz and rumors. She was seen mingling with influential figures in the movie industry and sat with prominent individuals like Universal's team and Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
As Meghan seeks to redefine her public persona, questions arise about her and Prince Harry's relationship with the British royal family. There have been reports of the Sussexes expressing willingness to join King Charles for Christmas at Sandringham, but sources close to the royal family describe this sudden overture as 'bizarre' given their strained relations. These developments come amidst setbacks for Archewell Productions, such as the cancellation of Meghan's children's cartoon series 'Pearl' and challenges with their Spotify deal.
The recent activities suggest Meghan is positioning herself as an independent and influential figure in the entertainment industry, separate from her identity as a member of the British royal family. Her appearances at high-profile events and meetings with key industry players hint at her desire for new opportunities in Hollywood, independent of Prince Harry.
