Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are once again at the center of public attention with rumors swirling about their upcoming travel plans to the UK. Despite a history of tension with the Royal Family and their relocation to California, the couple has recently shown signs that they are not ready to sever ties with Britain entirely.
In a move that signals their ongoing commitment to maintaining their presence in the UK, Harry and Meghan have expanded their team by hiring a new communications executive. This appointment is seen as a strategic effort to enhance their public image and connect more effectively with the British populace. The couple’s decision to appoint Charlie as the Director of Communications in the UK is a clear indication that they wish to boost their popularity and improve their standing among Britons, told the Mirror.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s project has already hit a few snags, with it pushing back her plans to return to podcasting. The podcast plans are said to be “struggling to get off the starting blocks.” This fresh connection to the UK follows Prince Harry’s candid admission about his yearning to return home. Speaking on Good Morning America, he shared: “My family and my life in California is as it is. I have got other trips planned. That would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so you know, I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”
A source revealed to the Daily Mail the “smaller podcast company is struggling to get off the starting blocks.” Lemonade is said to be concerned about “scheduling conflicts” between the launch of the podcast and Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. Meghan’s return to podcasting also included a reprisal of her podcast ‘Archetypes’, which previously had over 10 million downloads, and averaged almost a million listens per episode. When Meghan announced her new deal earlier this year, she said: “Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought-provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024. Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast is well in the works.”
While they now reside in the United States and are engaged in multiple new projects, Harry and Meghan have demonstrated a desire to keep their connections to the UK active. This intention is underscored by their plans to visit Britain in May to participate in the 10th-anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games, an event founded by Prince Harry that has been a cornerstone of his charitable endeavors.
Speculation is also rife about the possibility of the Sussexes bringing their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK for this visit. This potential family trip could be in response to invitations from King Charles and Kate Middleton, suggesting a gesture of familial reconciliation during a significant royal event.
The context of these developments is further enriched by recent actions from King Charles, who has bestowed new prestigious titles on Prince William and Kate Middleton. This act could be seen as an attempt to solidify the standing of the Cambridge family within the Royal Family, amidst the evolving dynamics brought about by Harry and Meghan’s decisions and public interactions.
Harry and Meghan’s efforts to mend and maintain their ties with the UK through strategic communications and public appearances reflect their complex relationship with their royal roots and their ongoing influence on both sides of the Atlantic. Their upcoming visit, coupled with their new strategic hire, underscores a calculated approach to address public perception and engage with a UK audience that has watched their journey unfold with keen interest.
