Harry and Meghan Urged to Rethink Their Media Strategy Ahead of UK Return — Expert Says They Need to Show a Side the Public Rarely Sees
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may need to rethink the way they approach their media projects as they prepare for an extended return to Britain, according to a television expert who believes the couple could benefit from appearing more natural and approachable.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to spend an extended period in the UK while continuing their commercial ventures rather than returning to life as working royals.
But their media strategy could now face renewed scrutiny after several high-profile projects failed to deliver the lasting impact the couple may have hoped for.
Expert urges Sussexes to appear more authentic
Sam McAlister, the television executive and author known for securing the controversial BBC Newsnight interview with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, believes Harry and Meghan could benefit from a less controlled approach to their future projects.
McAlister later became involved with Scoop, the Netflix film about the interview, serving as an executive producer and on-set consultant.
Speaking to The Royal Observer, she suggested that modern audiences increasingly respond to content that feels spontaneous rather than carefully orchestrated.
“People want authenticity,” McAlister said, arguing that Harry and Meghan could consider more casual interviews, take greater risks and allow themselves to make occasional mistakes rather than appearing overly rehearsed.
She believes that approach could ultimately work in their favour.
Their recent media projects have faced setbacks
The advice comes after a series of major media ventures involving the Sussexes have encountered difficulties.
Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, despite receiving a Daytime Emmy Award nomination, was cancelled after two series.
The couple also saw their multi-million-dollar partnership with Spotify come to an end.
Harry and Meghan have continued working with Netflix, however, producing several projects including Harry’s 2023 documentary connected to the Invictus Games and a series exploring professional polo.
Their biggest Netflix project remains the 2022 docuseries Harry and Meghan, in which the couple discussed their departure from the Royal Family and their experiences within it.
That followed Harry’s widely discussed interview with Oprah Winfrey and the publication of his memoir Spare.
The couple signed a multi-year Netflix agreement in 2020 that had previously been valued at up to $100 million. Since then, Netflix has moved to a revised first-look arrangement with Archewell Productions.
‘They do feel a little bit distant’
For McAlister, the issue is not necessarily a lack of public interest in Harry and Meghan, but the way they present themselves through the media.
She believes the couple should take part in a smaller number of projects that allow viewers to see more of their personalities away from highly managed productions.
“I would have them doing a very small number of things, not so stage managed,” she said, suggesting that doing so could help audiences see the “human warmth” behind them.
McAlister added that the couple could benefit from appearing more like people audiences would feel comfortable approaching rather than distant public figures.
“They do feel a little bit distant,” she said, explaining that the highly polished nature of their appearances can sometimes create a barrier between them and viewers.
A different strategy for their return to Britain?
Harry and Meghan’s planned return to the UK could therefore provide an opportunity to change how they connect with the public.
The couple are not expected to resume working royal duties and will continue their commercial activities.
But as they prepare to spend more time in Britain, McAlister’s advice points to a potential shift: fewer heavily managed appearances, more personal moments and projects designed to show a more relatable side of the Sussexes.
Whether Harry and Meghan adopt that approach remains to be seen.