Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been dealt yet another piece of unsolicited but unavoidable advice: be authentic, or risk fading into irrelevance.

Four years after their dramatic “Megxit” from the British Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are still struggling to secure a consistent public identity. Their projects have ranged from high-profile Netflix productions to publishing ventures, podcasts, and most recently Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. But behind the glamorous headlines lies a sobering reality — their popularity is sinking.

A Steep Fall in Public Image

According to the latest YouGov surveys, Harry and Meghan’s approval ratings are at an all-time low, ranking them among the least popular royals — trailing only Prince Andrew, whose reputation has been permanently tarnished by scandal.

It’s a staggering fall from grace for a couple who once captivated the world with their fairy-tale romance, explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, and bold departure from royal life. Instead of carving out a new chapter defined by empowerment and independence, critics say they now appear unfocused, opportunistic, and increasingly disconnected from the very audiences they seek to influence.

The PR Expert’s Verdict

Renae Smith, founder of the Sydney-based PR agency The Atticism, has offered a blunt assessment of the Sussexes’ ongoing brand crisis.

“If they want to avoid future flops, they need to get out of their bubble,” Smith told The Express. “Right now, their projects feel like they’re made for fans only.”

Smith argued that Harry, 39, still has untapped credibility in the realm of humanitarian work, but warned that his efforts must be perceived as genuine — not publicity stunts.

“It has to come from a genuine place,” she explained, “not like that odd fires thing Meghan did, where she sent band merch to a kid whose house burned and posted a super cringe video of it on Instagram.”

The suggestion: Harry should pursue quiet, grassroots initiatives, showing the public the side of him that once served in Afghanistan, created the Invictus Games, and dedicated himself to veterans.

Meghan: An “Influencer Queen” Instead?

For Meghan, however, Smith painted a different picture. According to the PR strategist, the Duchess’s instincts are better suited to lifestyle and influencer-style media, rather than heavy humanitarian causes.

“Honestly, I think short-form influencer-style social media content is a better fit for Meghan than anything real or in-depth — TV, humanitarian work, causes, podcasts, etc.,” Smith said.

That analysis may sound harsh, but it aligns with the direction Meghan herself seems to be taking. Her new brand As Ever is reportedly centered on luxury home goods, wellness products, and curated lifestyle inspiration — a pivot many see as her attempt to become America’s answer to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.

Whether such ventures can rebuild her credibility remains unclear. Critics argue that her approach often comes across as overly polished, transactional, and lacking the sincerity audiences crave.

The Authenticity Question

The word “authentic” appears again and again in conversations about Harry and Meghan. For many observers, the core of their struggle is the disconnect between the image they project and the reality the public perceives.

When Harry speaks candidly about his mental health struggles, his military service, or the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, audiences often respond with compassion. But when the couple announces multimillion-dollar deals, then delivers underwhelming results — such as the abruptly cancelled Spotify podcast — they are accused of being out of touch.

“They want to be seen as changemakers,” one royal insider said earlier this year, “but their projects often feel hollow. People don’t want polish. They want vulnerability. They want authenticity.”

The Way Forward

Smith’s advice boils down to simplicity: Meghan should lean into influencer-driven, bite-sized content that feels natural, while Harry should embrace more low-key humanitarian efforts behind the cameras.

“If they want credibility back,” Smith concluded, “they need some grassroots good work without chasing clout.”

This prescription reflects a growing consensus among branding experts: the Sussexes don’t need another Netflix blockbuster or a billion-dollar deal to rehabilitate their image. They need to strip back the layers of celebrity gloss and reconnect with the authenticity that once made them relatable.

A Cautionary Tale in the Making?

As time passes, the window for reinvention may be closing. In Hollywood, careers are made and broken in a matter of years. For the Sussexes, every new misstep — whether it’s a canceled project, an ill-judged PR stunt, or a brand launch that fizzles — further cements their reputation as overexposed figures who lost touch with their core story.

Still, their trajectory is far from over. With their Netflix deal ongoing, Meghan’s As Ever brand in its infancy, and Harry’s enduring ties to humanitarian causes, the couple still has opportunities to reshape the narrative.

But if they fail to heed advice like Smith’s — to show the world who they really are, flaws and all — they risk becoming exactly what their critics claim: symbols of squandered potential.

Authenticity or Irrelevance

In the end, the Sussexes’ dilemma is simple but stark. The world doesn’t need more curated Instagram posts or million-dollar contracts. It needs honesty.

Harry and Meghan once captivated audiences with the promise of authenticity — breaking free from royal restraints to live “a more honest life.” Now, ironically, their survival as cultural figures may depend on rediscovering the very authenticity they once promised.

As one observer put it: “They don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be real.”