Meghan Markle's 'celebrity route' may be undermining her public appeal: expert

A royal expert has claimed Meghan Markle’s decision to pursue a “celebrity route” since stepping back from royal duties may be undermining her long-term public appeal.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, has faced continued criticism in the UK since she and Prince Harry left the royal family in 2020. 

While she has launched projects including her lifestyle brand As Ever and returned to Instagram, some observers say her approach lacks consistency.

Speaking to The Sun, royal commentator Hugo Vickers said: “Who is the real Meghan Markle? Her big problem is that she's gone down the celebrity route."

"As a celebrity, you have to keep putting yourself out there in the public arena and reinventing new ideas. She's very successful at getting people to take an interest in every single thing she does, but there seems to be an awful lot of them and nothing ever seems to follow through. It stops and becomes something different, re-marketed, renamed.”

Vickers’ remarks come after Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday on Monday with a dinner near her Montecito home, joined by family and friends. 

Despite well-wishes from fans and celebrity acquaintances online, there was no public birthday message from members of the royal family.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold told Heart Bingo last week he expected the King and Queen, as well as the Princess of Wales, to acknowledge Meghan’s birthday behind the scenes. 

“I believe the King and Queen will wish her a happy birthday. I think Catherine as well, but Catherine might do it on behalf of her and William,” he said.

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