Harry and Meghan’s Strategic Photo Drop: A Bold Move in the Royal Rivalry

In a move that's raising eyebrows, Harry and Meghan have once again inserted themselves into the royal spotlight.

Just hours after King Charles and his family unveiled their official portrait, the Sussexes released not one, but two new photos of themselves.

This timing has sparked discussions among royal experts, who are questioning whether the couple is attempting to reclaim their relevance after stepping away from royal duties.

It seems almost predictable that the Markles would respond in kind.

Despite having recently hired a new public relations expert to revamp their image, the couple appears to be struggling to carve out an identity separate from their royal ties.

According to Selah Altner, a marketing professor from the U.S., Harry and Meghan are trying hard to establish themselves as a brand independent of the monarchy.

However, she notes that their royal association was what initially captured public interest.

The question now is: how much interest remains in Harry and Meghan since their departure?

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams weighed in, suggesting that the couple's release of photos just after the royal family's official portrait signals a lack of coordination with the firm.

He pointed out that their actions appear to be a clear indication of their ongoing separation from royal traditions.

Fitzwilliams further emphasized that the timing of the Sussexes' photo drop, coinciding with significant royal events, could have been a gesture of goodwill at the start of King Charles's reign.

However, it seems that this gesture is overshadowed by the couple's apparent desire to remain relevant in the public eye.

Royal author Tom Bower took a more critical stance, suggesting that Harry and Meghan's recent actions are aimed at humiliating the royal family.

He posited that the couple is reigniting hostilities with the royals, asserting that their focus is on building “Brand Meghan” through various media projects, including books, a Netflix series, and podcasts.

Bower noted that during the Queen's funeral, the couple was prominently featured, contrasting sharply with their more subdued presence during the Platinum Jubilee.

He described the couple's role at the Jubilee as being relegated to an upstairs window, far from the main events.

In his view, Meghan's primary concern seems to be her own brand, with little regard for the fallout it may cause within the royal family.

Katie Nicholl, another royal author, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the polarizing nature of Meghan and Harry's photo release.

She pointed out that it came just two days after the powerful image of King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, and the new Prince and Princess of Wales, which signified the future of the monarchy.

The absence of the Sussexes in that photograph made their subsequent release all the more striking.

Nicholl characterized the couple's move as a bold reminder that there exists an alternative royal court across the Atlantic.

It's a calculated attempt to assert their presence in a landscape that seems increasingly indifferent to their narrative.

As the world watches this ongoing saga unfold, the dynamics between the Sussexes and the royal family continue to evolve.

With each photo drop and public statement, Harry and Meghan navigate a delicate balancing act between maintaining their brand and managing their estrangement from the monarchy.

The question remains: will this latest move resonate with the public, or will it further alienate them from the royal fold?

Only time will tell how this chapter in the royal saga will play out.