Meghan Markle’s recent remarks about her luxury lifestyle brand have sparked backlash among public relations and branding experts, with one specialist offering a pointed critique of the Duchess of Sussex’s approach to building her business.
Renae Smith, founder and director of the PR agency The Atticism, spoke candidly with Express UK about Meghan’s comments during a recent podcast appearance. In the episode of Confessions of a Female Founder with Tina Knowles, mother of music icon Beyoncé, Meghan spoke about her decision to hit pause on her brand’s rollout, citing the need for stability.
In the podcast, Meghan said, “I’m looking at it, saying, just pause. That happened. Let’s wait until we are completely stable, and we have everything we need.” While the statement may have resonated with some fans, it didn’t sit well with industry professionals.
Smith criticized the Duchess’s lack of clear direction, suggesting that a more strategic approach is essential for success in the competitive lifestyle market. “If she wants to be taken seriously in this space, she needs to stop reacting and start leading,” Smith said.
“That means committing to a clear rollout plan, dropping the cryptic ‘pause and reassess’ rhetoric, and treating her audience like intelligent consumers, not just fans who’ll buy anything with her name on it,” Smith stressed that for Meghan’s brand to succeed, it must be built on three essential pillars: consistency, communication, and credibility. “Right now, all three are missing,” she noted bluntly.
The comments come at a crucial time for Meghan, who has been working to establish her post-royal career through a combination of media ventures, philanthropic initiatives, and commercial projects. Her brand, which is expected to include high-end lifestyle products, has been teased through trademark filings and subtle mentions, but a concrete launch strategy has yet to materialize.
Experts say that ambiguity and delays risk undermining the brand’s credibility, especially when the target market is discerning and competitive. Smith’s advice reflects a broader sentiment in the branding world: that even celebrity-driven ventures need disciplined, professional execution to succeed.
While Meghan has remained largely silent on the criticism, her next move could be pivotal. As she navigates the challenging world of high-profile entrepreneurship, the pressure is on to turn star power into a sustainable brand—one built not just on fame, but on strategy and trust.