Following the launch of their new website and Meghan’s lifestyle brand, the couple have been accused of trying to use a rebrand to rival the Royal Family – but they risk their popularity plummeting, according to an expert
News of King Charles and Princess Kate’s cancer battles have ‘put the brakes’ on Meghan Markle’s so-called “American Royal Family” plot, an expert has claimed.
It’s been less than a week since Kate shared the news she is battling the disease in a personal video message shared with the public. Her sad announcement came just six weeks after her father-in-law the King shared his own diagnosis.
Meghan, meanwhile, has been hard at work on her new business venture, American Riviera Orchard, a new lifestyle brand based out of her Montecito mansion. And prior to that, she and Harry launched Sussex.com to replace their Archewell.com website – using their royal titles and crest.
The moves have been seen by royal watchers as an attempt by the couple to use their rebrand to try to rival the Firm. But any plans to take on the royals may have been scuppered, according to commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who said if Meghan and Harry did continue at this time, they risk their popularity dipping even further.
The expert told The Sun: “There isn’t anything that the Sussexes are going to be able to do to monetize their connections with the Royal Family in the future that I can imagine.
“I would also think that Harry will be pretty devastated by the news of his father’s treatment for cancer, and also what’s happened to Catherine. Remember, their popularity is pretty low on both sides of the Atlantic, if anything else happened that was considered tasteless they would plummet.”
Following Princess Kate’s cancer announcement, the Sussexes released a short statement which read: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
And according to ITV ‘s royal editor Chris Ship, Prince Harry also “reached out to his brother” after learning of Kate’s cancer. Mr Ship added: “Harry and Meghan have both been in touch with their brother/sister-in-law but did so privately. It is not clear if that was a phone/video call or some messages of support.”
Royal author and expert Tom Quinn confirmed to the Mirror that Harry did contact Prince William – but did not receive a “warm, informal response” back.
“Harry and Meghan have been in contact with William, but their private message was simply one of sympathy and didn’t include any suggestion the brothers should make up and let bygones be bygones or that Harry should fly back to the UK soon,” he said.
“There is just too much ill-feeling for that. William, who is still hurt by everything Harry has said in the past, has responded, but the response is very much engineered by the palace and it’s hardly the kind of warm, informal response you would expect from one brother to another. It’s more like the sort of communication you would get between two slightly wary diplomats.”
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