Two doesn’t always mean better than one.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle haven’t been seen together publicly in over a month, leading to speculation about potential trouble in their marriage.
However, a public relations expert suggests their separate appearances have nothing to do with their personal relationship.
Instead, Ed Coram James believes the decision is strategic and tied to business and rebranding efforts.
“Since their wedding, Harry and Meghan have built a specific brand,” James shared with GB News. “That brand has always been about them as a duo—whether you call it ‘Harry and Meghan’ or ‘the Sussexes,’ the two have become inseparable in the public’s mind.”
But according to James, the couple’s unified image has recently become “toxic.” He argues that their recent individual public outings are a calculated effort to establish separate, more marketable identities.
“After the Oprah interview, where they escalated tensions with the Royal Family into what felt like an all-out conflict, their joint brand has steadily lost appeal,” James explained. “It’s reached a point where big-name companies are hesitant to associate with their shared image due to its negative connotations.”
James further added, “From a PR perspective, the Sussexes as a pair are toxic. Separately, however, they have an opportunity to rebuild distinct identities under entirely new labels.”
While this savvy business move makes sense from a PR standpoint, it has fueled rumors about the state of the couple’s relationship.
An insider told GB News that Harry and Meghan remain solid as a couple, though Markle finds the ongoing speculation exhausting.
“She’s really felt the pressure in recent weeks with all the rumors about her and Harry’s marriage,” the source revealed. “They’ve fueled some of this by attending separate events, but this decision works for them right now. It allows them to shine individually in areas they are passionate about.”
Meanwhile, this speculation coincides with a royal expert’s claim that Meghan has a personal memoir “in her back pocket” that she could potentially use as leverage if needed.
Earlier this year, reports suggested the Duchess was considering writing a tell-all book, shedding more light on the mental health challenges she experienced during her time with the Royal Family.
While there hasn’t been any confirmation, royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes this project could serve as a future advantage for Meghan.
“It’s been more than two years since her interview, and she’s stayed away from creating further controversy about the Royal Family,” Bond told OK! Magazine. “Still, the journal she mentioned could become a powerful tool if she ever feels the need for retribution.”
