The success of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Sussex brand has been ripped apart by a PR expert who says the couple failed to maintain a ‘unified narrative’, making their efforts seem ‘forced’ and “confusing” to the public.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently made solo appearances related to their own interests, in what has been seen as a renewed approach to how they will individually promote their cause.

Now, a PR expert suggests that their global brand, as a joint effort, faces challenges and has failed to consolidate it globally due to their “diverging interests.”

Renae Smith, founder and director of Atticism, said Express.co.uk that Harry and Meghan’s interests appeared to be at odds with each other, as the Duke worked to promote his charitable work while Meghan focused on her business endeavors and women’s empowerment.

She explained: “The Sussex brand has certainly faced challenges in maintaining both its momentum and its cohesive identity.

“Much of this difficulty probably comes from their divergent interests, which do not fit naturally into a unified ‘Sussex’ narrative.”

Harry’s focus on mental health and veterans’ causes has a very different tone than Meghan’s focus on female empowerment, social justice and now her venture into luxury home goods with her new brand, American Riviera Orchard.

“While each area held potential, grouping them under one brand seemed forced, even confusing, to the public,” Ms. Smith said.

“For example, if Meghan is suing American Riviera Orchard, and even though it’s not her philanthropic work, but her business work, that still seems somewhat at odds with Harry’s mental health advocacy and support for veterans.”

The expert added that this resulted in the name Sussex becoming “too broad” for the public to “cling on to”, leaving many people unsure of what Sussex “really stands for”.

She concluded: “Dividing their business identities could relieve them of the pressure of mixing such divergent interests and allow each to engage with their own specific audience.” »