Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly been hit with a sobering reminder about what life truly demands from those who hold royal titles but choose to live outside the system. According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are still bound by expectations that come with their royal identity expectations and they cannot simply walk away from.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Schofield, host of Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered on YouTube, explained that Meghan and Harry might believe they’re free from the rules of the monarchy. However, she was quick to point out that the royal spotlight never really fades when one insists on keeping their titles.
“Harry and Meghan might assume the rules no longer apply to them because they’re no longer working members of the British royal family,” Schofield said. “But that’s not the case when you insist on keeping the titles.”
According to Schofield, those titles come with a built-in standard of behavior and responsibility that the public expects. “There are higher expectations of the Sussexes than there would be for Heidi and Spencer Pratt,” she remarked, highlighting the fine line the couple walks between being royals and celebrities.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced an ongoing struggle to define their identity outside the Firm. Schofield suggested that the pair’s post-royal life has lacked a sense of direction. “Since leaving the British royal family, Harry and Meghan have lacked purpose in their pursuits,” she explained.
The expert went on to say that the couple has found themselves in a repetitive cycle of reinvention. “Without the mystique and responsibility of their royal roles, they have been reduced to celebrities,” Schofield added. “And when a celebrity constantly reinvents themselves without a clear sense of purpose or authenticity, audiences start to tune out.”
Her comments echo a growing sentiment among royal observers who believe the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are struggling to maintain relevance in a world that once viewed them as global changemakers. Their move to California was initially seen as a bold step toward independence, but critics now argue it has left them without a strong narrative.
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Branding expert Doug Eldridge also weighed in, suggesting that Meghan may finally be learning from past mistakes. He pointed to the past year as a turning point for the Duchess, describing it as “the first time that Meghan has seemingly made an effective, possibly lasting, course correction, both personally and professionally.”
According to Eldridge, this shift came when Meghan distanced herself from what he called “victim marketing” and instead focused on more positive endeavors. “She dispensed with the ad hominem attacks on Harry’s family and focused on her business and her family,” he explained.
This recalibration, he believes, may be Meghan’s best chance at rebranding herself as a serious, purpose-driven figure rather than a celebrity embroiled in controversy. Her public appearances in support of causes like online safety for children have been viewed as steps in the right direction, showing that the Sussexes can “do good” without constant drama.
Schofield acknowledged this effort, saying, “Harry and Meghan do show up and do good with endeavors like their calls for online safety for young children.” However, she was realistic about Meghan’s long-term prospects, adding, “I don’t think Meghan’s going anywhere.”
Royal experts agree that Meghan Markle remains one of the most talked-about figures in the world, but whether she can sustain that influence depends on her next move. The Duchess’s challenge lies in finding a balance between her royal legacy and her desire to forge a modern identity independent of the crown.
For now, the message from royal commentators is clear that the titles Meghan and Harry chose to keep still carry weight and the expectations that come with them aren’t going away anytime soon
