The dramatic exit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their senior royal roles in 2020, colloquially termed 'Megxit', has been a topic of global discussion. The couple's decision to publicize their grievances with the royal family since relocating to California has left many wondering if this scandal could have been sidestepped.
Public relations expert Andy Barr, in a recent interview, shed light on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's explosive departure. Barr believes that with better communication, the transition could have been less contentious and the global sentiment of sorrow could have been averted. He stated, "Better communication would have made the move less controversial and removed the tinge of sadness that many across the globe now feel."
Barr further elaborated that the Sussexes' choice to air their family disputes through a best-selling book and a groundbreaking documentary was bound to clash with the royal family's sensibilities. He emphasized that the real contention was between the communications and brand advisors on both sides. Barr opined, "Airing your family grievances via a globally best-selling book and a ground-breaking documentary was never going to resonate well with the royal family let alone their team of advisors."
The expert also speculated that if the royal family and the Sussexes had been more stringent in their decision that neither party should share negative messages about the other with the press, much of the controversy could have been handled privately, directly, and with greater dignity. He added, "Whilst they garnered worldwide respect for not responding to every new sordid revelation, they could have better handled some of the more inflammatory elements such as the accusations of a physical altercation between Harry and William."
Royal analyst Bonnie Brownlee weighed in on the matter, suggesting that the Duchess of Sussex could have been a significant asset to the monarchy. However, according to Meghan, the royal family failed to cater to her emotional needs. Brownlee remarked, "Meghan could have been extremely helpful (to the royal family), especially in the Commonwealth… there are a lot of millennials around the world in the Commonwealth nations."
During their 2021 televised conversation with Oprah Winfrey, the Sussexes clarified that they hadn't abandoned their royal duties. Meghan explained, "We never left the family and we only wanted to have the same type of role that exists, right? There’s senior members of the family and then there are non-senior members." She further mentioned their initial relocation announcement to Canada, emphasizing that they weren't trying to reinvent the wheel but were merely seeking a more comfortable position within the Commonwealth, even suggesting countries like New Zealand and South Africa.
In the aftermath of 'Megxit', as the dust settles, the question remains: Could the royal family and the Sussexes have navigated their differences more amicably, or was the public fallout inevitable?