‘Be less American’ would be the first piece of advice I’d give Meghan if she wants to win over the UK. Second would be to find her self-deprecation switch and flip it to on. And third, to let her actions speak louder than her words. Only then do I think she stands a chance of winning back the British public after all that’s happened since 2020.
It would be a tough turnaround, but not impossible for a woman of Meghan’s talents. But she would have to want it, and be motivated enough to adjust. That’s where I have less faith. The rancour runs deep on both sides of the Atlantic and I question whether she would even have the desire to try to reconcile with Brits after her experiences in the UK, but, of course, ambition is a powerful motivator.
Dialling down her Hollywood ways would be a great start. Less word salads and fewer psychobabble references would go far with plain-speaking Brits who rarely use the words ‘heal’ or ‘empower’.
Shaking off her serious manner would also help. The past few years have seen her dwell on the negative experiences of royal life and – rightly or wrongly – some think of her as a moaner. If she could reveal her sense of humour, or even better, engage in some self deprecation then she could capture the hearts and minds of humble Brits.
Lastly, Meghan would be wise to focus on showing us who she is rather than telling us. In the last few years many of her initiatives have been heavily trailed and she’s spoken at length about her causes. If she prioritised action over narrative building I think she’d be unstoppable and would likely silence many of her critics.
If Meghan could pull off all three then she could make huge strides, but she’s certainly not guaranteed to succeed. If the recent claims from former aide Samantha Cohen blow up then she’ll need more than a few adjustments to rehabilitate her image.
Cohen recently confirmed that she had been interviewed as part of a probe into reports Meghan bullied staff, which has put a spotlight back onto the investigation and its unpublished findings. If the allegations were ultimately found to be true I don’t think even the spin of an industrial PR machine could save her image.
‘Meghan was very good at speaking with people – I’d like to see more of that warm, real side of her’
Abesi Manyando, author and founder of the public relations and branding development firm Abesi PR
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