Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to take a private trip to the Bahamas following a difficult start to 2025 that saw career setbacks and renewed public scrutiny, according to reports from Heat Magazine.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aged 40 and 43, have reportedly accepted an invitation from filmmaker Tyler Perry, who has offered them the use of his private residence on White Bay Cay. The retreat comes after intense criticism surrounding their visit to a wildfire evacuation center in Los Angeles and the delay of Meghan's Netflix series With Love, Meghan due to the ongoing wildfires in the region.
"Meghan and Harry have been under intense pressure," an unnamed source told Heat Magazine. The source added that Perry encouraged Meghan to "take the time to reconnect and repair," and even suggested leaving their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, for the duration of the trip.
Backlash and Public Image Management
The Sussexes' recent visit to an evacuation center sparked mixed reactions. Some critics accused them of using the visit as a public relations opportunity, while others defended their involvement. Among them, Avery Colvert, the teenage founder of the Altadena Girls charity, told Marie Claire that Meghan "went above and beyond" in her efforts.
"While they weren't directly affected by the fires, they were close to an evacuation order at one point and have since opened their home to friends who've lost their houses, which has also been hard," another source told Heat Magazine.
Beyond the wildfire-related controversy, Meghan has also faced renewed allegations of workplace misconduct. Vanity Fair recently published claims that some former staff members found working with her to be stressful, with one even seeking "long-term therapy" afterward. Meghan has repeatedly denied allegations of bullying, dismissing them as a "smear" campaign.
Reasserting a 'United Front'
In response to ongoing scrutiny, Harry and Meghan are reportedly shifting their strategy to prioritize joint public appearances. According to The Express, sources suggest that the couple aims to reinforce their image as a team, particularly in light of persistent rumors about the state of their marriage.
During an appearance at The New York Times Dealbook Summit in December, Harry addressed speculation about their relationship, saying, "Apparently we've bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We've apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it's just like, what?"
The couple's first major joint event under this new approach will be the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games on February 8 at BC Place in Vancouver. Originally planned as a solo trip for Harry, the decision for Meghan to join him reflects their "renewed focus on collaboration in public engagements," a source told The Express.
Additionally, the Sussexes have brought on Three Gate Strategies, a PR firm run by their former Head of Communications, Ashley Hansen, to oversee their media strategy. A source told the outlet that Harry and Meghan "have decided to step back a little and let Ashley take the reins" in handling their public image.
