From Palace 'Divorce' to UK Return: Harry and Meghan's New Plan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning a return to the United Kingdom, a move that coincides with the launch of Meghan's new lifestyle product: a "rich, vibrant" blackberry jam. The Duchess of Sussex unveiled the product through a video featuring her picking fruit, with the couple's UK visit occurring around the end of the blackberry season.

Branding experts view this return as a pivotal moment for the Sussexes' brand. Since their "divorce" from the Royal Family in 2020 and subsequent ventures in California, their projects, ranging from streaming deals to lifestyle products, have not consistently captured a large audience. Experts suggest the future of their brand remains uncertain, describing their portfolio as "fragmented" across social impact, entertainment, and lifestyle.

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initially attracted huge attention and were very good at converting it into financial benefit, but failed to maintain that success as a lasting brand.

This unexpected return raises questions, particularly as the couple will not be resuming active royal roles. While their specific plans remain unknown, Meghan's lifestyle brand appears to be a central focus. Professor Andrew Stephen of Oxford University's Saïd Business School noted that while the Sussexes initially generated immense attention and converted it into financial gain, they have struggled to sustain this success as a lasting brand. Their shift from royal insiders to critics, media producers, and now lifestyle influencers may be weakening their brand's coherence, according to branding specialist Susan Fournier.

Following their split from the Royal Family, the couple committed to financial independence. Their media deals, including a reported $100 million Netflix agreement and a $25 million Spotify podcast deal, have yielded mixed results. Netflix productions underperformed, and Meghan's podcast "Archetypes" was not renewed for a second season. The couple's return to Britain prompts further questions about their ability to establish a distinct brand identity separate from the Royal Family, while they continue to invest in British countryside initiatives and new projects.

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the continuous changes in direction of the couple pose a risk to their brand. From royal insiders, they became critics, then media producers, and now lifestyle influencers, which, she says, weakens the coherence of their image.