Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should stay “focused” on “service and family” rather than speculation during their U.K. trip, a PR expert says.
The Duke, 41, and Duchess of Sussex, 44, are expected to arrive in the U.K. on July 6 for a four-day visit featuring a series of events marking the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. They will be accompanied by their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in the family’s first visit to the U.K. together in four years.
There has already been considerable speculation about the trip, including whether the ex-royals will be invited to meet with the Royal Family. However, public relations specialist Grayce McCormick at Lightfinder Public Relations says that if the former royals stay in their lane and ignore the drama, they’ll have a meaningful visit.
McCormick told The Express US, “If I were advising the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, I would advise them to stay focused on the purpose of the visit.
“This visit is about supporting two organizations that have been important to Prince Harry for many years, the Invictus Games Foundation’s ‘One Year to Go’ event and WellChild’s 20th anniversary.
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“They also plan to spend private time with family, and with no media interviews reportedly scheduled, that seems like the right approach. It keeps the visit centered on service and family rather than speculation.”
Speaking about all the speculation about Harry and Meghan’s highly-anticipated visit, the PR expert said, “If questions arise that don’t relate to the purpose of the visit, the response doesn’t have to be complicated.
“Something as simple as ‘We appreciate your interest, but today we’re here to support the Invictus Games Foundation and WellChild’ is gracious and respectful, and it keeps the focus where it belongs.
“Throughout my career in public relations, I’ve found that authenticity doesn’t have to be announced- it simply has to be lived. A quiet visit can reinforce commitment just as powerfully as a public one.”
McCormick also advised Harry and Meghan to remain tight-lipped on certain things. She said, “I’ve also learned that when emotions are running high, it’s okay to let silence do some of the work.
“I recall my work with a client under pressure to respond to every news headline, but we stayed focused on the mission. People remembered the impact, not the controversy. I think the same principle applies here.”
The PR specialist added that Harry and Meghan’s security concerns will likely lead the couple to tighten their plans and keep everything well coordinated.
A PR expert has advised Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to stay focused on their mission on the trip (Image: ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
McCormick said, “According to publicly available reports, King Charles Ill has invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to stay at the royal estate during their visit.
“Outside of those accommodations, they are expected to use their own private security team, although operational details have understandably not been made public.
“Given Prince Harry’s longstanding concerns about security and the intense media attention the couple often attracts, I would expect their advisers to work closely with security, event organizers, and household staff to keep the visit well coordinated and respectful.
“Good communications planning is rarely about controlling a moment; it’s about creating the space for the visit’s purpose to shine through.”
The PR expert added that Harry and Meghan know what to do and will surely embark on a respectful, intimate, and successful trip, whether or not they meet with the Royal Family.
She said, “Ultimately, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex know how to conduct themselves. My greater concern isn’t the couple; it’s the environment surrounding this high-profile royal visit.
It’s still unknown whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will meet with the Royal Family (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“This is an important trip, both personally and publicly, and I sincerely hope they have a wonderful time reconnecting with family and extended friends while supporting two organizations that clearly mean a great deal to them.”
McCormick concluded, “The most meaningful visits aren’t remembered for the headlines they generate; they’re remembered for the relationships they strengthen and the lives they touch through service.”
Meanwhile, with the Sussexes’ trip days away, some insiders have claimed that Kate Middleton feels “utterly betrayed” by King Charles’ “peace deal” with Harry and Meghan.
Others have reported that the future Queen wanted to have a “private chat” with her brother-in-law to help repair his relationship with William. Now, another source says there is “no expectation” that William will meet with Harry at this time, despite Kate reportedly “trying to convince” her husband.
However, former royal butler Grant Harrold thinks the mending of relations is a two-way street and that Harry and Meghan will have to put in most of the effort.
Speaking exclusively to Action Network, Harrold, who worked for Charles between 2004 and 2011 and also served William, Kate, and Harry, said, “Meghan and Harry need to be more diplomatic than they’ve been in a long time during this trip to the UK.
“They will have to conduct themselves very carefully as all eyes are on them. It’s a vital trip in terms of family relations, and a step wrong could cause chaos.”
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