Harry and Meghan are US 'laughing stock with no clear direction', expert claims

Publish date: 2024-05-06

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be doing all they can to create a new brand for themselves outside of the royals in the US but according to one expert they are still yet to master the right balance regarding their reputation.

The couple who made their dramatic exit from the Royal Family over three years ago now continue to refer to themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex while also trying to make a name for themselves in Hollywood.

Pauline Maclaran, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Research at Royal Holloway, University of London, believes that the couple are making a mistake by holding onto their titles, especially if Meghan wants to pursue her political ambitions.

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Speaking to Express.co.uk, she said that she doesn't think that Meghan has "built up enough credibility" yet to be taken seriously as a Democrat candidate, although she did acknowledge Meghan's support for parental leave and vaccine equity.

However, Professor Maclaran did not agree with the 42-year-old's decision to use her Duchess of Sussex while lobbying for causes in the US despite her and Harry not being on speaking terms with the Royal Family, the Express reports.

She explained: "When she was lobbying for parental leave she used her Duchess of Sussex title and I don't think that was an appropriate move.

"To me that indicates she doesn't quite know where she is. She wants to use that title as a status symbol but, for a political route in the US, using a title is really rather ridiculous. It shows she wants to keep a foot in both camps.

"She could have said she was co-founder of Archewell or an actress. The royal title still seems to contribute to her sense of self and identity. I think it shows she hasn't got a clear direction."

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There is still ongoing "speculation" as to whether or not the duchess may run for office but in California where she lives, it is not unheard of for actors to enter politics.

Arnold Schwarzenegger previously became governor of the state and Ronald Reagan even became President in the 1980s.

Professor Maclaran continued: "It just depends how she develops a strategy, learns and adapts. She could probably go far, but she has a lot of tainting to overcome.

"I would have thought the Americans are not over Harry's book Spare. [The Sussexes'] got teased mercilessly for that, particularly with South Park.

"That was really a significant popular culture moment where they became a huge laughing stock, and still are to an extent.

"I can't see her going anywhere at the moment. She has to develop a clear image in her own right."

Meghan's next moves have been heavily examined, especially after she signed with a new talent agency William Morris Endeavour in April this year.

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However, at the current moment, she and Prince Harry seem to be focusing on their philanthropic work instead following the success of the Invictus Games 2023 in Dusseldorf last month.

The Sussexes' most recent public appearance was in New York for World Mental Health Day on October 10 where they hosted their first in-person Archewell Foundation's event that focused on helping parents support their children's mental health in a digital age.

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