As the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandals continues to engulf the Royal Family, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are taking a very separate approach
The Duchess of Sussex’s recent headline-grabbing moment on a glitzy red carpet was worlds apart from the scandal currently engulfing the royal family – and with very good reason, experts believe.
Meghan made a solo appearance at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Los Angeles last week, stepping out in a glamorous strapless gown teamed with sparkling vintage earrings – and her husband, Prince Harry, was noticeable by his absence.
In fact, joint appearances by the couple have been few and far between in recent months, and as the royal family continues to be embroiled in the drama surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, many think it needs to stay that way.
READ MORE: Andrew still has ‘path to credibility’ in Epstein scandal but there’s one thing he must avoid
PR expert and talent agent Dermot McNamara says the decision for Harry to lie low while Meghan, 44, mixed with high-flyers at the Hollywood bash was a masterclass in brand marketing – and self-preservation.
“Meghan was once seen as a gorgeous, glamorous Hollywood star, and she reminded people of that at the Gala,” he says. “Yes, she became more famous when she married Harry, but she was her own entity before he came along and she is used to going out and working the hustle in a way that Harry hasn’t had to do.”
And while there’s usually strength in a power couple, Dermot believes Meghan – who shares children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, with Harry – is better off flying solo right now.
“There’s no doubt she’s stronger alone at the moment because the levels of toxicity around the Epstein scandal can’t be overstated,” he says. “It goes against everything she’s trying to build, so she won’t want to be associated with it in any way.
“There’s probably an element of her protecting Harry emotionally, mixed with her protecting herself and her brand.”
Meghan’s major focus at the moment is her As Ever brand, which is trademarked to sell everything from jams and nut butters to podcasts, perfumes, makeup and pet shampoo.
She and Harry, 41, also have their Archewell Productions company “dedicated to illuminating thought-provoking and diverse narratives that underscore our common humanity and celebrate community”.
Given they no longer reap the financial rewards of being working royals, Dermot says they can’t afford to drop the ball when it comes to self-promotion and staying relevant.
”With all the royal family drama going on, Harry’s probably feeling quite anxious and worried about being besieged by people asking him to speak about what’s happening, and Andrew,” he says.
“But Meghan is a realist and knows they’ve left the royal family and it’s on her and Harry to keep the money coming in. They have bills to pay and children to raise, so the pressure is on to make her brand work.”
The furore surrounding the former Prince Andrew is casting a dark shadow over the royals right now. Last week alone King Charles was twice heckled publicly about his disgraced brother, with one irate crowd member shouting, “How long have you known about Andrew?” during a walkabout in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
A new batch of Epstein files released on 30 January – which included several emails between Sarah Ferguson and her paedophile friend – sparked a stream of fresh allegations against Andrew, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
One letter included a claim that Andrew and Epstein agreed to pay an exotic dancer $10,000 to perform at Epstein’s Florida mansion and “engage in various sex acts” once the dance was over.
The heat on Andrew is coming from closer to home too, as Thames Valley Police revealed it was assessing claims he allegedly shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
As the scandal continues to escalate, royal expert Duncan Larcombe agrees that Meghan stepping out without Harry is potentially critical to their damage-limitation.
“The Andrew stuff could harm Harry and Meghan more than William and Kate, because their brand is built on their royal affiliation,” he says. “But right now, the last thing anyone wants their brand to be associated with is the royal family.
“Savvy Meghan will do everything she can to keep her head down and well away from what’s going on – and that means not going out as a royal couple.”
After Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, became the first royal to break his silence on his disgraced brother and urged people to “remember the victims”, King Charles and Prince William both followed suit.
William’s team at Kensington Palace stopped short of naming his uncle, but confirmed in an official statement that he and the Princess of Wales were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” and “their thoughts remain focused on the victims”.
Buckingham Palace then went on to say the King was “ready to support” the police if they are approached about his brother and Epstein, and said Charles has made clear “his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.”
Former royal editor Duncan says that despite Andrew being cast out from the family, the revelations can’t help but have an impact on Harry and Meghan.
“If the royal family is going through a tough time, it means the Sussex family is going through a tough time as well,” he explains. “Meghan will, at last, want to run a mile away from the royal brand aspect of things. One bad apple can sour the whole batch, as they say.”
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