Fresh from a summer of mixed headlines, Meghan Markle’s latest PR play is leaving both fans and critics scratching their heads. On August 8, 2025, The Telegraph reported that the Duchess of Sussex is shifting her public image yet again—this time, focusing on a “low-key, authentic lifestyle brand” in the United States, while simultaneously signalling a return to higher-profile activism on global issues. The problem? To many observers, those two tracks don’t exactly fit together.
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According to insiders quoted in Page Six, Meghan’s team has been quietly pitching collaborations with major wellness and sustainable fashion companies, even as she explores keynote speaking opportunities at international conferences. “It’s the kind of split strategy that confuses people,” one PR consultant told the outlet. “Are you selling us linen napkins or lobbying for refugee rights? Which is it?”
The Duchess’s critics have been quick to pounce. Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine called the approach “scattershot,” arguing that constant brand reinvention risks alienating both commercial partners and causes. Social media has been just as unforgiving—hashtags like #PickALane and #MarkleMystery have been trending among royal watchers who see a pattern of abrupt pivots.
Supporters counter that Meghan has always juggled multiple interests, from acting to philanthropy, and that the dual approach reflects the modern reality of celebrity influence. “She doesn’t have to fit in one box,” a friend told People magazine, adding that Meghan “believes her platform can support business and advocacy at the same time.”
Still, the timing has raised eyebrows. The new brand direction comes just months after the closure of her podcast Archetypes and amid speculation about a cooling relationship with Netflix, her most high-profile media partner. Industry analysts point out that launching a fresh venture while past projects are still fading from memory can muddy a public narrative.
For now, Meghan is said to be taking meetings in California while Harry remains busy with the Invictus Games and charitable work abroad. Whether this new multi-pronged plan will win her fresh supporters or simply deepen the “brand confusion” critics cite is an open question. What’s clear is that in the court of public opinion, Meghan’s next moves will be dissected in real time—by both loyal fans and those who have never believed a word of it.