Five years have passed since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on their journey away from royal duties, stepping into a life less encumbered by traditional expectations. As Meghan Markle carves out her new lifestyle empire, she finds herself at a crossroads where high viewing figures clash with waning popularity levels, especially in the UK. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Meghan can bridge this divide to capture broader appeal.
### Countess of Sandwich’s Insight
“Having this American optimism and go-get attitude… that is what you guys kind of like about us, right?”
The Countess of Sandwich, an American who married into British nobility, understands the intricacies of straddling two distinct cultures. She once expressed unwavering confidence in Meghan’s ability to charm the nation with her tenacity and ambition. Despite some skepticism, the countess remains hopeful about Meghan’s evolution over the years.
### Diverging Opinions
UK popularity rating: 19% (2025), US favorability: 43% (January 2025)
In the UK, Meghan’s popularity stands at a mere 19%, signaling a decline from previous years. Conversely, her reception across the pond paints a slightly more favorable picture with a 43% approval rating in January 2025. This contrast underscores the challenges she faces in garnering universal admiration.
### Brand Building Challenges
“She has an unerring instinct for getting it wrong.” – Tina Brown
Critics like former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown have been vocal about what they perceive as missteps in Meghan’s brand-building endeavors. From her Netflix lifestyle series to launching new ventures like As Ever, Meghan has faced criticism regarding pricing strategies and brand direction. Despite initial success with sold-out products, doubts linger about her overarching vision.
### The Megxit Legacy
“Whatever she does comes back to Buckingham Palace…” – Evan Nierman
Even as Meghan distances herself physically from royal ties by settling into California life, echoes of Megxit continue to reverberate through public perception and media scrutiny. According to PR experts like Evan Nierman and Mark Borkowski, disentangling oneself from royal associations remains an ongoing challenge for both Prince Harry and Meghan.
### Crafting a New Narrative
“They got what they were after – global fame exposed what they needed to do.” – Evan Nierman
While navigating commercial success outside royal confines may seem daunting amidst lingering public perceptions linked to monarchy ties, there are glimpses of optimism for charting a fresh trajectory forward. Embracing divisiveness as part of modern branding strategies could potentially steer them towards untapped opportunities.
### Balancing Act
In today’s polarized media landscape…divisiveness isn’t always a disadvantage.
Amidst varying reviews and opinions surrounding their ventures post-Megxit, Prince Harry and Meghan face a delicate balancing act between personal pursuits and philanthropic endeavors that wield lasting impact beyond mere entertainment or lifestyle initiatives.
As they tread carefully on this path strewn with both accolades and critiques, one thing remains certain – the narrative continues evolving for this dynamic duo seeking relevance beyond regal confines.
