Former royal editor Duncan Larcombe says that despite the Sussexes\u2019 best efforts to repair their reputations with the help of high-profile publicists, they seem unable to escape the bad press.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything Meghan does seems to attract negativity, particularly in the UK,\u201d Duncan tells us. \u201cThere seems to be two versions of her; one in America and one here, where she seems to be universally disliked. It comes after reports Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set for new ‘goldmine’ offer – but could face issue<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones split as he joins notorious dating app on lads’ holiday<\/a>READ MORE: The touching moment Lucy Bronze consoles rumoured girlfriend and rival Ona Batlle<\/a> \u201cShe\u2019s a very emotional person and takes things personally, so it probably feels like she can\u2019t do anything right a lot of the time. She was heavily criticised for some of her recent videos, and when she goes quiet, she\u2019s criticised for that, too.\u201d<\/p>\n That was certainly the case when the account of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, posted a birthday tribute to her. Alongside a snap of the duchess was the caption, \u201cCelebrating the woman behind it all. She pours her heart, vision & magic touch into every detail, and today, we raise a glass to her! Happy birthday to our founder @meghan.\u201d<\/p>\n While comments on the post were switched off, some unimpressed followers took to X with comments like, \u201cMeghan runs that account herself, yet here she is talking to herself in the third person.\u201d<\/p>\n Another accused Meghan of \u201csending her friends a script\u201d and that everything was \u201cbrand controlled\u201d following congratulatory posts from pals like actresses Kerry Washington and Abigail Spencer, another former Suits star.<\/p>\n Duncan says the backlash would have hit Montecito-based Meghan hard. \u201cShe sees herself as a very positive, upbeat person, but the negativity happens every time because she\u2019s lost her credibility,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a self-publicist, and that doesn\u2019t go down well with the British public. In her mind, she\u2019s a royal, but she isn\u2019t in terms of toeing the line. So yes, she\u2019s making a success of her business, selling lots of jams and bottles of wine, but it\u2019s coming at a cost because she\u2019s seen as cashing in on being a royal.\u201d<\/p>\n On her personal Instagram<\/a> account, @meghan, she posted a photo of herself at swanky LA restaurant Funke, where she celebrated with a cake. She wrote, \u201cBlowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special. To those of you I don\u2019t know, but who send love every day \u2013 thank you so much. Please know I feel it and appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Comments were switched off, but the image led to similar criticism on other platforms. Harry also found himself back in the spotlight following the release of a report into what went down at his African charity, Sentebale, which he set up in 2006 in memory of his late mum.<\/p>\n He resigned earlier this year from the board of trustees after a series of boardroom squabbles became public knowledge, with Harry accused of being a \u201ctoxic brand\u201d, and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, saying she was subjected to people \u201cplaying the victim card\u201d after he stepped back.<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s Charity Commission called the fallout \u201cdeeply damaging\u201d in its investigation report last week, writing: \u201cSentebale\u2019s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity\u2019s reputation, risk[ing] overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity\u2019s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Duncan, the episode raises more questions about Harry\u2019s public role, says Duncan.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s embarrassing for him to be told he damaged the charity\u2019s reputation and risked its good work. It was a cause he cared about but, by letting it play out so publicly, it backfired. He\u2019ll probably be incredibly angry and hurt that it\u2019s added fuel to an already burning fire.\u201d<\/p>\n The latest dramas come just weeks after Harry and Meghan\u2019s new PR team held talks with King Charles<\/a>\u2019s aides ahead of Harry\u2019s trip to the UK next month.<\/p>\n Duncan says there are clear signs the couple want to change perceptions of them \u2013 but it could be too late.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re on a charm offensive and have employed people to help improve their image, and show they\u2019re trying to build bridges and move on. It\u2019s very much to make them appear like good guys who are trying to make friends, but I think they\u2019re doing it far too late.\u201d<\/p>\n * Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat <\/a>, Instagram <\/a>, Twitter <\/a>, Facebook <\/a>, YouTube <\/a>and Threads <\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Clearance sale offers gardeners last chance to buy stylish faux lead planters for \u00a330 less<\/a>![\"MEghan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_Invictus-Games-Vancouver-Whistler.jpg\")
Meghan and Harry have had a tough week(Image: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"Meghan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2_Meghan-Markle-reveals-how-she-spent-her-birthday-in-social-media-return.jpg\")
Meghan turned 44 on August 4(Image: meghan \/Instagram)<\/p>\n![\"As](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_aseverofficial_1754324008_3691859828036343275_64329221594.jpg\")
Meghan’s As Ever account posted a tribute to its “founder”(Image: As Ever Official \/ Instagram)<\/p>\n![\"Sentebale](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_Potential-is-Waiting-Sentebale-x-Lebec-Panel-Discussion.jpg\")
Harry stepped down from Sentebale earlier this year(Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)<\/p>\n