The Harry & Meghan Brand
Their downfall and how they can rise again
Love them or hate them, The British Royal Family and most notably – Harry and Meghan Markle – are all over the news these days. Every time I open my news app or social there are at least 10 different stories about Harry’s new book, his interview with Anderson Cooper, the couples Netflix series and the many truth bombs being spilled.
Let’s backtrack a bit. I’ve been captivated by them since the news of their love story came to light years ago. I was one of those people that got up in the middle of the night to watch their wedding and have followed their humanitarian work as well as their struggle with the media and their families.
And now I want to turn away. It feels uncomfortable and like I’m watching a train wreck in slow motion.
So, what happened and where did they go wrong?
Harry and Meghan are oversharing and vomiting their personal life and all the drama all over the internet.
They have evoked sympathy and rage from many – myself included – over how they have been treated. I honestly can’t imagine the life they lead…the scrutiny, the isolation, the expectations, and control. Do I think they should have just sat back and taken it? Hell No. I was impressed that they took control of their lives and narrative by moving abroad, removing themselves from active royal duty and forging their own path.
I watched their Oprah interview and was on their side. I binged their Netflix special and was on their side all the way. And now the tides have turned for me.
They are sabotaging their brand.
I believe that sharing deeply vulnerable stories as a way to solicit therapy, sales, or sympathy is triggering for an audience and harmful for a persons’ personal and professional brand…although, it may result in some short-term gains.
I believe they were right in sharing their story, rather than hiding and being stoic like the typical British royal brand, but now they are playing the media game they despise and are just as bad as their tight-lipped relatives – just for different reasons.
They wanted to be left alone, to have privacy. And now, they are the ones drawing all the attention.
We are all entitled to a personal life.
Just because it happened or is happening, doesn't mean you have to share it. (Please read that line again!) I haven’t even read Harry’s book and yet I cringe whenever I hear reference to stories he shares in it.
I teach my audience and clients to 'curate their vulnerability.
There is a saying I love – and live by – and that is that we must teach from our scars, not from our wounds.
So I invite you to look at every story you want to tell through the lens of "has this scar healed" or "is this still a gaping wound". It will help you make better decisions around the timing of when to share your stories.
Start by asking yourself these questions before sharing something deeply vulnerable.
Why do I want to tell this story?
Is this the time to tell the story?
Is this my story to tell?
The best way to create chemistry with your audience is through curating your personal and professional stories and sharing those stories in a meaningful way.
If Megan and Harry had asked themselves these questions before sharing so many of the intimate details of their lives, I believe they could have built their personal brand into something powerful. A brand that rises above the Royal brand. Can they come back from this? I honestly hope so and I’m rooting for them.
On the opening screen of their website there is a quote saying:
“The goal is to focus on what connects us, rather than what divides us”
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
They need to stop feeding into the media frenzy and focus on living this goal. It seems they forgot it along the way.