A public relations specialist has raised concerns about Meghan Markle following a recent interview that has been described as awkward and likely to damage her public image.
During an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, it was disclosed that upon entering the interview location, the house manager addressed Meghan as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” even though only three individuals were present. This revelation sparked online discussions, with royal enthusiasts and commentators criticizing Meghan for the incident. Renae Smith, the founder and director of PR firm The Atticism, expressed that the incident was not only cringeworthy but also overly theatrical.
Smith suggested that the announcement was premeditated, indicating that Meghan either agreed to it or requested it, labeling it as tone-deaf. She emphasized that such actions shape public perception more than magazine covers, portraying Meghan as inconsistent and out of touch with what resonates positively with the public.
The sentiment shared by the PR expert was seconded by royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, an etiquette expert, who also pointed out that the announcement breached royal protocol. Fitzwilliams remarked that the introduction should have been made to the journalist rather than announcing Meghan to the journalist, highlighting the breach in protocol and its potential impact on Meghan’s image.
Guidance from Buckingham Palace and the etiquette guide Debrett’s suggests that typically, the visitor should be announced, not the Royal Family member. Debrett’s explains that introductions to royals are termed ‘presentations,’ where it is sufficient to state the name of the person being presented.
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