Key facts
- Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to Britain six years after stepping down as senior royals.
- Reports surfaced of Meghan being in talks for a Guy Ritchie Netflix crime drama, with subsequent reports suggesting the offer was withdrawn.
- Branding experts stated the couple attracts significant media interest but also generates polarized opinions and drama.
- The couple's previous major deals with Netflix and Spotify have concluded, and Meghan's lifestyle brand has faced challenges.
- Experts believe a return to Britain could provide an opportunity for a brand reset, particularly for Meghan's lifestyle brand.
Prince Harry and Meghan's return to Britain has been met with intense media scrutiny, particularly surrounding reports of Meghan's potential involvement in a new Netflix crime drama. While neither the couple nor Netflix confirmed the talks, subsequent reports suggested the offer was withdrawn due to backlash. Branding experts suggest this situation highlights both the immense media interest the couple can generate and the polarized opinions they evoke, posing challenges for their brand promotion and efforts to maintain privacy.
Six years after citing intense media scrutiny as a reason for stepping down as senior royals and moving to the U.S., Harry and Meghan's return to the UK has been met with a familiar media frenzy. Their past criticisms of the royal family and the British press, notably through an Oprah Winfrey interview, a Netflix documentary, and Harry's autobiography "Spare," have reportedly angered many in Britain, where support for the monarchy remains high.
Recent commercial ventures have seen setbacks, including the downgrading of a reported $100 million Netflix deal and the end of a $20 million Spotify agreement. Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, has also struggled to gain traction. These developments have been widely reported by British newspapers.
Branding experts believe a return to Britain could offer a chance for a reset. A move to the English countryside might benefit Meghan's lifestyle brand, which sells products like spreads, candles, and tea in the U.S., potentially refreshing its appeal to American consumers with an "English touch." However, it is noted that selling such products in Britain might be challenging.
Commentators have observed that Meghan has consistently faced negative media coverage in Britain. While supporters see the couple as having fled to escape racist and misogynistic reporting, detractors accuse them of profiting from selling stories about Harry's family and demanding privacy while doing so. Harry himself has taken legal action against several British tabloids for privacy invasions.
To shift the narrative, a return to acting for Meghan, perhaps on stage, could be beneficial, though her high level of fame might make it difficult to disappear into a role. Experts advise that both Harry and Meghan are capable performers who can draw attention to their charitable causes, but they will need a new strategy to manage the renewed scrutiny from both social and traditional media.