When the Sussexes’ announced their intention to step back from royal roles in January 2020, it’s fair to say they shocked the world.
If they had continued as working members of the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan would have been expected to carry out official duties on behalf of the Crown.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the way in which both parties continued to “lead a life of service”, as Meghan and Harry put it.
Though most headlines about Meghan and Harry of late have focused on their bombshell Oprah interview – and the revelation that the reason they left the firm was largely due to racism – they have also been busy with other things.
Alongside all of this, the royal rift rumbles on.
But, ahead of what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday on July 1, four industry experts reveal what they think might lie in store for Harry and Meghan.
As a former partner at Schillings, the law firm responsible for Meghan’s recent win against The Mail on Sunday, Coad recalls a similar case involving Princess Diana, in which she successfully sued Mirror Group Newspapers for running pictures taken without her knowledge.
Gaining 1 million followers in less than six hours, the @SussexRoyal Instagram account broke a world record in 2019.
“While traditional media may criticise them, there will be a vocal group of people using social media to share positive sentiments,” argues Lebor, on the pros that could come from Harry and Meghan embracing social media again.
As a crisis communications expert accustomed to advising multinational corporations and governments, Antonia Green spends a fair amount of time in damage-control mode.
“There has been a clear shift in their crisis and issues management response after they stepped down as working royals,” Green notes.
Even their handling of Prince Philip’s death was distinctive.
So much of Diana’s appeal was down to her authenticity, and the Sussexes are “keen to uphold that honesty even when it’s uncomfortable,” Green says.
Reeves has worked with the likes of Tony Hawk, and the Make-A-Wish foundation, building charitable brands for over 25 years.
Despite the controversies that surrounded her, Diana was able to “use the media for good”, spotlighting charity instead of personal struggle.
And most recently, Harry and Meghan have used the media frenzy surrounding the birth of their daughter to draw attention to issues they value, asking for donations to organisations that support young women, like Girls Inc.