Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to attend a high-profile Kardashian party around Remembrance events has exposed the “chaotic nature” of the Sussexes’ public relations operation, according to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
The controversy erupted after photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending a celebrity party hosted by Kris Jenner were posted online before being quietly removed, with Kim Kardashian later explaining the images were taken down to avoid offence during a period of remembrance.
Mr Fitzwilliams said the episode underlined how carefully the Sussexes’ public image now has to be managed when operating in celebrity circles they do not control.
“You can see why Meghan wanted to be with all those A-listers, because that’s what she failed to get supporting her, particularly with the podcasts and the cookery show,” he said.
“A-listers are something that she needs to be seen with, and you can understand why they went.”
However, he said the optics surrounding Remembrance were mishandled, pointing in particular to images showing Harry wearing a poppy while Meghan was not.
“Harry had a poppy, and she didn’t. I don’t know where you can find similar images of royal couples,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.
“Usually, if one wears it, the other would wear it. And we know how strongly Harry feels about the military.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘chaotic PR’ left exposed after Kardashian backlash
|
INSTAGRAM: KIM KARDASHIAN / YOUTUBE: KHLOE KARDASHIAN
According to Mr Fitzwilliams, the decision to allow the photographs to be shared, followed by their sudden removal, illustrated deeper problems within the Sussexes’ communications strategy.
“What it illustrates is the chaotic nature of their PR,” he said.
“They’ve lost 11 top advisors. It’s so haphazard, allowing it and then suddenly realising, oh my goodness, we’ll be seen in it, so think what they’ll think of us. It’s clearly very disjointed.”
He contrasted the couple’s current approach with the early period following their decision to step back as senior working royals, when he said they were far more ruthless and effective in controlling the narrative.
LATEST ROYAL DEVELOPMENTS
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Serena Williams at a charity event earlier that evening
|
GETTY
“The Sussexes’ attitude to public relations has been a complete mix,” he said.
“In the initial period when they were stepping down as senior working royals, they had the Royal Family on the defensive, and they were utterly ruthless.
“Everyone remembers Oprah and the Netflix series and Spare, and the impact of that. It was like a nuclear weapon, and there were practically no defences.”
Kim Kardashian spoke about the drama on Khloe’s podcast.
| PA
While the Kardashian episode was widely criticised online, Mr Fitzwilliams said it also demonstrated that the Sussexes still command attention on a global scale.
“There’s one advantage and one disadvantage,” he said.
“The advantage is that they’ve still got a brand that everything they do is news, including the bad bits. The disadvantage, of course, is the mistakes.”