Why Meghan Markle’s Former Friend Says the Duchess Needs to Ditch Her Royal Title Now and Embrace Something Else Instead
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first official joint public appearance in Nottingham, England, and received a warm reception from a crowd gathered outside a community recording studio to see them. The duke and duchess did a walkabout and chatted with fans during their Oct. 15 visit, which was deemed a success.
After seeing the reactions from well-wishers they met, someone who used to be close with Meghan says now is the time for the former Suits star to drop her royal title and embrace what they believe she really is.
Nick Ede is a U.K.-based brand and culture expert and public relations specialist with over 20 years of experience in fashion and entertainment. He is a regular commentator on television and in the press. Alongside his media work, Ede runs a PR agency and is a dedicated charity campaigner. He was also once good friends with Meghan.
Speaking on behalf of Cafe Casino, Ede told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Meghan has an opportunity to reclaim her place in Britain without needing the Palace. She’s a different woman from the one who arrived in 2017, and this could be the start of a new chapter if she does it well. I think this was far better than her photo op with Malala [Yousafzai], which was very contrived. She is a Hollywood celebrity, and she needs to play more into that and forget her title.”
He added that Meghan’s Nottingham appearance showed the charm that made her so popular with fans in the first place, noting, “Meghan looked relaxed, confident and genuinely happy to be there. Her smiles, hugs and natural engagement with the crowds showed the charm that made her popular when she first joined the royal family. She seemed to be pleased with the reception she received, and she went out of her way to talk to everyone who was there.
“Nottingham was a real turning point for Harry and Meghan. The warmth of the crowds reminded us of the couple Britain first fell in love with, before everything became so complicated. It was good to see them so radiant and full of life.”
Ede also talked about how this is just the beginning for the couple in rebuilding their brand and reputations, explaining, “Nottingham felt like the Sussexes pressing the reset button. They’re reminding people of the good they can do rather than the controversies that have dominated their story. It’s a clever move, but consistency will be key to their success.
“I think this is the beginning of a much more visible Harry and Meghan in Britain. They’ve realized that actions speak louder than interviews, and charitable work is their strongest route to rebuilding public trust. They are both very altruistic and have always wanted to show their support to organizations by shining a light on them and using their star power.”
When asked if he thought the Sussexes’ outing could lead to a royal reconciliation with Harry’s family, Ede didn’t mince words, “A warm reception doesn’t mean a royal reunion is around the corner. I think we’ll see a private family reconciliation with Charles and Camilla long before we ever see the Fab Four together again. I don’t think William and Kate will ever forgive them.”
