As speculation mounts over whether Meghan Markle will accompany her husband, Prince Harry, on his rumored visit to the UK next month, a PR expert has warned the Duchess of Sussex to exercise caution and avoid "reigniting tensions" with the Royal Family and the British public.
Prince Harry is expected to attend a special service at St. Paul's Cathedral on May 8 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, where he is also due to deliver a speech. While the Duke of Sussex is listed as a guest on the official order of service, Meghan's attendance is still marked as "to be confirmed," casting doubt on her long-awaited return to the UK, four years after stepping down as a senior working royal.
The couple's relationship with the Royal Family has been strained since their relocation to the US in January 2020, with tensions escalating following their explosive sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 and the release of Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare." However, recent reports suggest that the Duke is keen to reconcile with his father, King Charles, and royal fans are hopeful that the father and son will patch up their differences during Harry's upcoming visit.
Renae Smith, founder and director of the Atticism, believes that Meghan's presence at the event could potentially attract additional media attention and public interest, elevating the profile of the Invictus Games and its noble cause. "Her attendance would also signal a united front as a couple, showcasing their continued commitment to charitable endeavors and public service, despite stepping back from official royal duties," Smith told Daily Express.
However, Smith also noted that the context of the couple's relationship with the Royal Family cannot be ignored. "Given the highly publicized and polarizing nature of their departure from senior royal roles and subsequent publicity efforts (Prince Harry's memoir Spare, Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan), Meghan's attendance could potentially simply 'stir media speculation' and ultimately distract from the event's primary focus," she explained.
The PR specialist advised Meghan to "manage the narrative proactively" and focus on the Invictus Games' goals to avoid "reigniting public or private tensions." Smith added, "The key here would be to manage the narrative proactively, ensuring that any involvement by Meghan serves to support the event's goals and does not inadvertently reignite public or private tensions."
As the date of the Invictus Games anniversary approaches, the world will be watching to see if Meghan Markle will make her long-awaited return to the UK. If she does, it will be crucial for the Duchess to navigate the delicate balance between showing support for her husband and the event's cause while avoiding any further strain on the couple's already fraught relationship with the Royal Family.
