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It appears that Prince Harry might be reconsidering the impact of his explosive memoir, “Spare,” which, instead of enhancing his popularity, seemingly strained both his reputation and family ties. According to Tom Bower’s latest book, “Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family,” Harry was reportedly upset when he realized that his brand value had plummeted following his and Meghan Markle’s participation in a Netflix series. This series, which delved into their 2020 departure from the Royal Family, included numerous anecdotes about his relatives and contributed to a rift with his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles.
While initially lucrative, the couple didn’t fully anticipate the lasting impact of their decisions until Harry allegedly received a startling revelation from Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of the Sentebale charity. She reportedly informed him that “people don’t want to be associated with your Netflix shows and especially not with Meghan,” which left Harry puzzled about why he wasn’t recovering his public image as swiftly as Johnny Depp did post-trial with Amber Heard. Indeed, this comparison raised eyebrows.
Harry also learned that Meghan’s brand appeal in America was lacking and that it negatively affected his own. While Meghan’s penchant for speaking her truth might be commendable in certain situations, it was evident that airing grievances on a global stage against such a venerable institution would have repercussions. Now, faced with dwindling opportunities, the couple is beginning to grasp the missteps they have made.
Chad Teixeira, a PR & Brand consultant, shared with Express.co.uk the rationale behind the Royal Family’s decision to remain silent, emphasizing the importance of restraint in public communications.
Teixeira explained, “Historically, the royal family has adopted the ‘never complain, never explain’ approach, which from a reputation management standpoint can be very effective. It limits attention to the story and avoids escalating public disputes. In many cases, repeatedly responding to criticism simply prolongs the news cycle and keeps the controversy alive longer than it otherwise would be.”
He hinted that Harry and Meghan’s TV appearances, book release and statements from their PR team have been detrimental to their otherwise carefully curated image, adding: “The risk with responding too frequently, however, is that it can appear defensive and keep old issues circulating in the media. From a PR perspective, the goal is always to shorten the lifespan of a negative story rather than extend it.
“Ultimately, the most successful reputation strategies balance timing and restraint. Speaking out can help someone reclaim their narrative, but knowing when to step back and allow the news cycle to move on is just as important for maintaining credibility and protecting a public image.”
It is safe to say that Harry has never known when to step back, whether it be allowing his dirty laundry to be aired in court to going with Meghan on pseudo-royal trips around the world. Anyone can tell he has been doing himself no favours for years, and now the chickens have finally come home to roost. Marketing expert Jonathan Mildenhall is said to havr told Harry: “The more you ascend, the less oxygen you have to tell the truth,” and it is definitely a hard lesson that Harry needs to learn, and fast. Whether he can learn to take on the advice of those around him and try and save his image, only time will tell.