As Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, endeavors to reshape her public image post her contentious departure from the British royal family, palace insiders and brand experts express varied opinions on her recent commercial appearance.
Amidst a backdrop of acrimonious allegations against the royal household, Meghan's latest endeavor sees her playfully assuming the role of an intern in a coffee commercial. However, this lighthearted portrayal has been met with criticism and skepticism from those close to royal circles.
The 42-year-old Duchess, who has made headlines alongside her husband, Prince Harry, for their dramatic split from royal duties in 2020, has been accused of overplaying the victim card. A palace courtier told The National ENQUIRER, "This is a desperate attempt at brand rehabilitation, to make people forget the damage she's inflicted on Harry's family in her apparent revenge vendetta."
Meghan's attempt to rebrand herself comes after a series of public outburys that accused her in-laws of cruelty and racism, sending shockwaves through Buckingham Palace and beyond.
In her recent commercial for Clevr coffee, Meghan buzzes around as a 'worker bee,' a stark contrast to her royal persona. However, critics argue that this portrayal does little to amend her image, with a palace courtier scoffing, "This ad appearance is strictly money-related and all about Meghan again. This is all to boost sales - even if it demeans her royal title."
Brand expert Nick Ede, however, suggests that the commercial is a strategic move, "a way of showing Meghan in a new light, both fun and frivolous," and part of a "well-thought-out rehabilitation" for the former actress. He envisions more personality-led content showcasing Meghan as "kind, compassionate, entertaining, and not afraid to poke fun at herself."
Despite this optimistic outlook, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams remains unconvinced, stating, "Time will tell - but I'm not holding my breath." Critics also highlight Meghan's strained family relationships, particularly with her father, Thomas Markle, as an example of her unkindness.
As Meghan and Harry continue to navigate life outside the royal sphere, their actions and choices remain under intense scrutiny. The Duchess's efforts to reinvent herself as kind and compassionate face an uphill battle, given the public's entrenched perceptions and the ongoing family feud.
A palace insider suggests, "Her best chance of rehabbing her image is to stay out of the spotlight and stop criticizing the royals. But that's never going to happen. She seems addicted to the attention!" As for the royal family, including King Charles and Prince William, they would likely prefer Meghan and Harry to leave their royal past behind. Yet, given the couple's proclivity for public discourse, this seems an unlikely outcome.
