Prince Harry Urged to Make One Move to Win Back Public Support — And Meghan Would Approve
Turns out, Prince Harry's best PR strategy isn't a rebrand—it's simply embracing one of Meghan Markle's best pieces of advice.
Prince Harry's UK trip earlier this month was widely seen as a success, largely due to his reunion with King Charles. The visit also included an appearance on Joe Marler's podcast, where the Duke poked fun at his thinning hair and engaged in some lighthearted banter. The candid interview prompted brand and culture expert Nick Ede to urge Harry to lean into that same authenticity to rebuild his public image. Interestingly, this advice mirrors Meghan Markle's repeated assertions that embracing authenticity is key to finding true happiness.
Ede weighed in on Harry's recent appearance and how he could leverage his quirky persona for a good cause. He told the Daily Express, "For Harry's reputation, authenticity is his greatest asset. This appearance moves him away from being viewed solely as someone caught up in royal drama and closer to being seen as a relatable husband, father, and veteran with a good sense of humor." He added, "If he [Harry] continues doing more conversations like this, rather than focusing on past grievances, it could be one of the smartest moves he's made for rebuilding his public image."
Moreover, the expert opined that the interview gave a glimpse of the Duke's personality that attracted his wife during the early days of their courtship. He continued, "It reminded people of the Prince Harry many connected with years ago, someone warm, self-deprecating, and able to laugh at himself, which is what Meghan saw in him too.” Indeed, the Duchess of Sussex would surely be proud to see her husband embrace his true self, having long encouraged her own followers to do the exact same, regardless of others' opinions.
That being said, last August, during her appearance on an episode of The Circuit with Emily Chang, Markle spoke about being expected to wear nude pantyhose during her time in the royal fold. Speaking of authenticity, she stressed, "Let's be honest, that was not very me... That felt a little bit inauthentic. That's a silly example, but it is an example of when you're able to dress the way you want to dress, and you're able to say the things that are true, and you're able to show up... organically and authentically."
That same appearance also saw her clarify her surname when the host pressed her to explain the same. She said, "It's a dukedom, and that's the truth of it. But at the end of the day, yes, my legal name is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, but Sussex works for us as our family name, and it is the name we share with our children." Later, when reflecting on how she handles criticism—referencing her insights from the Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit—she noted that her best advice is to focus on authenticity, especially when her words are misinterpreted.
