PR expert says a UK return could be a high risk, high noise move that does more harm than good.
Meghan Markle may believe she has little to lose by returning to the UK, but one PR expert says the gamble is far riskier than it appears.
Speaking to The Mirror, celebrity publicist Mayah Riaz warned that a visit to Britain would expose Meghan to intense scrutiny without offering any real upside. In her view, the Duchess’s commercial strength has always been rooted in the United States, where her royal connection already functions as a form of global shorthand.
American audiences, she explained, do not need to see Meghan on British soil to be reminded that she married into the Royal Family. That story, she said, is already “baked into her brand.”
A UK appearance, therefore, would not automatically translate into positive attention. On the contrary, Riaz described it as a “high risk, high noise” scenario, particularly given how hostile the British media environment has become since the couple’s departure from royal duties.
She pointed to the fallout from Megxit, followed by the Oprah interview, Spare, and the Harry & Meghan docuseries, arguing that any return would be examined “frame by frame.” Rather than opening a new chapter, a visit could reignite old narratives that many believe are better left untouched.
From a PR perspective, she added, that is rarely a smart trade.
Riaz also challenged the idea that royal credibility only exists in the UK. Meghan’s appeal in the US, she said, is about modern royalty, a blend of Hollywood and monarchy that resonates far more in California than it does in London. Her deals, audience, and influence reflect that reality.
That said, she did not rule out a UK visit entirely. Under very specific conditions, she suggested, it could even improve public perception. Any appearance would need to be values led, low key, and purpose driven, not a glossy moment or a branded showcase, and certainly not framed as a reconciliation tour.
Anything that looks performative, she warned, would likely harden opinions rather than soften them.
For now, Riaz believes Meghan’s real challenge is not visibility but narrative control. Staying focused on the US allows her to build her profile without reopening wounds that, in her words, remain very much alive in the British psyche.
