Being a royal definitely has its advantages – the fashion, the princes, the tiaras, the castles – but it also has its drawbacks, from the end of privacy to the dreaded rumour mill.
No one knows this more than Meghan Markle.
The former Suits actress has endured an endless stream of online bullying since becoming a royal, with some of her latest moves proving extremely controversial.
From her father’s constant communication with the press and her baby shower backlash to the royal feud rumours and the more recent private jet scandal, it’s safe to say that Meghan Markle’s public image has taken a bashing.
In fact, it was even reported this month that the Duchess of Sussex feels discouraged ‘that the British public holds her up to’ a very high standard set by sister-in-law Kate Middleton.
‘Meghan has this sense of isolation being in the UK, subject to cruel British media,’ the insider source told Us Weekly. ‘Her hands are tied and she isn’t allowed to defend herself. It has been very difficult.’
It was announced this week that it has actually got so bad that Meghan has hired a Hollywood PR to help improve her image, and judging by the PR company’s reported former clients, it is being referred to as a ‘Hollywood crisis management company’.
The firm, Sunshine Sachs, is said to have previously represented Michael Jackson and Harvey Weinstein so they are well-versed in damage control. But it’s not just controversy that they specialise in, with other clients including Jennifer Lopez, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck and Natalie Portman.
The firm is said to have represented Meghan in her Suits days, with Keleigh Thomas Morgan, Chief Executive at the firm said to be a good friend of the Duchess.
‘Meghan trusts Keleigh, who got a prime seat at her wedding and she’s known for years,’ a royal insider told The Sun, going on to explain that the move to go to Hollywood PRs rather than Buckingham Palace’s own is a big change.
‘Hiring a Hollywood firm to represent you for PR while a member of the Royal Family is unorthodox to say the least.,’ the source reportedly explained. ‘Senior palace courtiers have been left bemused over the last few months that the couple have been ignoring advice from their own highly-professional team and will instead listen to outsiders in Hollywood.’
Can we all leave Meghan Markle alone already?
