Meghan Markle is hiring a team of crisis PRs in a bid to win the British public over. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to return to the UK for the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, and will be accompanied by Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five. An insider close to the couple revealed that Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, see the visit as a “make or break” chance for Harry to try and reconcile with King Charles and Prince William, and they have brought in a team made up of celebrity and crisis PRs who have worked with infamous names in a bid to rebuild Meghan’s image with the British public.
The source said: “Meghan knows that she, in particular, will have to eat humble pie if she wants any chance of winning Harry’s family and the public over, and she is ready to admit she needs the help. She’s been instructed that she is back in the UK as Prince Harry’s wife, and should only have a background role – this is her time to show people she is capable of not playing up to the cameras. Meghan is taking it all on board and is very keen to show the British public she is not the enemy. She and Harry deeply regret speaking about the royals on TV, and would love a second chance.”
Harry has previously spoken about his wish to reconcile with his father, but made it clear that he and Meghan needed police protection to come to the UK. King Charles is said to have offered the family security and allowed them to stay in a royal residence during their stay, although this has not been confirmed. It is also not known whether the King will meet with the couple during their stay.
Harry is said to be hopeful that his return will be a step in the right direction. “Harry has had time to reflect, and he is learning the error of his ways. As parents, they now realise the pain King Charles has gone through by not speaking to Harry. He would like to return to the Royal Family in some capacity, but it remains to be seen if that will ever be on the cards”.
The couple’s return to the UK comes just months after Meghan and Harry’s visit to Australia sparked backlash from the public, as Meghan was accused of using a meeting with victims of the Bondi Beach shooting to advertise her outfit on a clothing website.
The insider added: “Meghan realised she’s been given bad advice from her PRs for a while, and it has hurt her reputation.
“They were trying to make her the next Diana, and to give her a sickly sweet image which came across as insincere. Meghan had realised this was a mistake and wants to make sure this visit goes right, for Harry’s sake. The team is on the case and working hard to develop an action plan to win her back the public’s favour. A lot is resting on this.”
A representative for Meghan has been contacted by Express.co.uk for comment.