Harry, Meghan, and the comms quandary surrounding the latest instalment of the Royal drama

By Charlotte Coulson

The second ‘drop’ of the docuseries Harry & Meghan has landed this week, and with it a fresh raft of accusations and counter accusations against the media and the Palace. For many of us this ‘guilty pleasure’ viewing may feel akin to the spin off series to The Crown, but it is further tumult for the Royal Family in a tumultuous year. What should they do next? Rebut each claim and counterclaim, or continue to Never Complain, Never Explain?

We’ve asked across the SEC Newgate team for how they would advise the Buckingham Palace communications team should respond:

Laura Leggetter, Co-head, Communications: “The couple are merely building an empire by denouncing the family. I don’t believe they should comment as it would surely add credence to the Sussexes’ claims. Less is more in this instance and this strategy aligns with their ongoing comms strategy to not comment on other key issues such as the Crown series nor Prince Andrew.”

Simon Neville, Media Strategy and Content Director: “Criticism of the Palace in the documentary is focused on the institution's total lack of empathy. Harry and Meghan were both clearly hurt by their treatment in recent years and are looking for validation of their feelings. Staying silent only risks re-enforcing the viewpoint that the Palace has the emotional intelligence of a traffic light.  Some of the best coverage the Palace has achieved in the last decade has been around the role its younger members have played in raising awareness of mental health because it involved showing empathy. That empathy has been lacking regarding the treatment of Harry and Meghan. I believe the Palace showing it now has few downsides and could go some way to appeasing the couple so all sides can move on in their lives.”

Alistair Kellie, Co-head, Communications: “I feel for the Buckingham Palace communications team. At the end of an extraordinary year, they are now having to manage what was an ‘issue’ to what is now a major reputational crisis for the Royal Family. I sense that at some point they might decide to move on from a ‘never complain, never explain’ approach given the seriousness of the allegations being levied against the organisation and the family by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. That said, I would urge them to not rebut the claims point-by-point; use third party friends and remain dignified by letting the Sussexes torpedo and undermine their own narrative. I love the line approved by the late Queen, ‘recollections of events differ.’ A brilliant way to cast doubt in a highly emotionally charged situation.”