Meghan Markle is being accused of making a “major miscalculation” in her handling of her royal exit and public image, with one branding expert claiming she has been caught in a “self-inflicted cycle of PR triage” ever since.
Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, shared his assessment of the Duchess of Sussex in an interview with Fox News Digital. He argued that Meghan’s decision to publicly distance herself and Prince Harry from the royal family has done lasting damage to her reputation.
Eldridge said, “She made a major miscalculation towards her future when she flicked a match to the royal family.” He added that, in doing so, “she found herself being the only one that got burned at the end.”
According to Eldridge, Meghan’s struggles to manage her public image stem from how she handled her royal identity. “She’s been in a self-inflicted cycle of PR triage ever since,” he explained, comparing her situation to “Dwight Schrute’s confusion surrounding his role as ‘Assistant to the Regional Manager’.”
The expert described Meghan’s continued use of the Duchess title as “an empty title which conferred no rank, reach or relevance.” While clarifying that “the Duchess title certainly isn’t fictional,” Eldridge argued that “Meghan’s assumption of relevance clearly is.”
He continued, “Following Harry and Meghan’s high-profile abdication of their royal duties, the title now has little significance and zero responsibility.” Despite his criticism, Eldridge acknowledged that the past year may have marked a turning point for Meghan, both personally and professionally.
“The last 12 months marked the first time that Meghan has seemingly made an effective, possibly lasting, course correction,” he said. “She dispensed with the victim marketing and ad hominem attacks on Harry’s family. She focused on her business and her family; that focus was met with an effective launch of her lifestyle brand and a commercial foundation she can actually build upon.”
Meghan and Prince Harry have spent the past few years developing their charitable work and advocacy, particularly around mental health and online safety for young people. In a previous statement to People magazine, the couple said, “Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives.”
They added, “As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honored to support them.” Eldridge’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenge the Duchess faces as she works to redefine her public image while balancing business ventures, philanthropy, and her complicated royal legacy.