Expert Says Meghan Markle Should Make a Drastic Change for ‘Maximum Success’ in 2026
Meghan Markle is here to find herself in familiar crossroads once again. The ambition hasn’t waned, nor has the work ethic. What has shifted instead is the question hanging over it all, whether doing so much has blurred, instead of sharpening, her purpose.
Over the past year, the Duchess of Sussex has barely slowed down. A podcast, a Netflix lifestyle series, a Christmas special, and the launch of her own brand have followed one another in quick succession. Even though on paper it looks like quick momentum, in practice, critics argue, it has felt more like overreach, a flurry of activity without a single anchoring identity. And as 2026 approaches, some believe the problem is no longer visibility, but definition. And this same view is further echoed by brand and culture expert Nick Ede, who sees the coming year as a moment of reckoning rather than expansion.
Speaking to Express, Ede framed the issue less as failure and more as misdirection. From a PR point of view, 2026 feels like a pivotal reset year for Markle. "The appetite isn’t necessarily for more from Markle, but for clarity from her,” he said. Ede argues that Markle’s approach so far has lacked focus. “We want to define who she is and what her place is in the world of celebrity. She has scatter-gunned herself constantly over the past few years, and it’s not really worked,” he said.
The criticism isn’t that she has tried too much, but that none of it has been allowed the time or space to properly land. According to Ede, the solution is pretty simple. “For maximum success, she should focus on two things: consistency and credibility. That means choosing one or two core areas to concentrate on whether that’s philanthropy, female entrepreneurship, or just being a celebrity with a brand, she just needs to commit to it long-term, without constantly reframing her narrative.”
Ede also says much of her public life since stepping back from royal duties has been shaped by explanation, about explaining her choices, grievances, and her reinventions. Ede suggests that the next phase should reverse that dynamic. “The biggest win for Meghan would be to let her work speak louder than her story. When she’s at her strongest, she’s impactful and influential, which is the lane she should stay in.”
Signs of that consolidation may already be emerging. Though unconfirmed by Markle herself, it is widely believed that her lifestyle brand, As Ever, will take centre stage in 2026. The brand has been warmly received by her core audience, offering something tangible and comparatively apolitical, somewhere where she can operate as a businesswoman. If she does lean into it, it would mark a shift away from constant reinvention and towards long-term brand building.
Alongside that, Markle is expected to continue prioritising philanthropic work with Prince Harry, an area where the couple’s efforts have remained more consistent. What remains uncertain is the future of With Love, Meghan, her Netflix series. Two seasons and a festive special were released this year, but there has been no confirmation of a third series for 2026.