Meghan Markle has remained silent about the Royal Family, reportedly as a strategic move to preserve and promote her lifestyle brand. The Duchess of Sussex, who had previously been vocal about her grievances with the royal institution—most notably in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan—has since shifted her focus towards building her business.
Personal branding expert Amelia Sordell explained to The Sun that Meghan’s decision to step back from public criticisms is a calculated effort to protect her personal brand. “She and Harry, as a branded couple, have made a mistake in previous years of giving too much of their authentic story—which meant that people can perceive them in a way that they can’t control,” said Sordell.
Sordell believes Meghan is now recalibrating her public image to align more with the values of her upcoming lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which emphasizes a wholesome, family-oriented image. “By stepping back now, she is likely recalibrating her public persona to better align with the wholesome, family-oriented image that American Riviera Orchard aims to project,” Sordell added. “Your personal brand has to mirror who you are as a person.”
Meghan and Prince Harry left the Royal Family in 2020, relocating to California with their son, Prince Archie. Since their departure, the couple has publicly accused the Royal Family of racism and shared their challenges with royal life in various interviews. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in California.
Meghan’s decision to remain quiet about the Royal Family is seen as part of her strategy to focus on her new endeavors, including her lifestyle brand while re-establishing a more controlled public image.