As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to embark on their two week African tour, a royal expert has claimed that Archie is ‘the best ticket’ for them to win back the hearts of the nation.
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, told the Telegraph, that Meghan and Harry’s five-months-old son was key in order to win their public relations battle – and shouldn’t hide him away.
Harry, 34 and Meghan, 37, will travel to South Africa next week, where they will visit Cape Town and Johannesburg as a family.
The couple have been heavily criticised over the last few months – as it was revealed that they flew by private jet to Europe and they spent £2.4million of public money, renovating Frogmore Cottage.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to embark on their African tour, a royal commentator has said that, in order for the public to fall back in love with the couple, they should put Archie ‘front and centre’
Harry, 34 and Meghan, 37, will travel to South Africa this week, and are taking their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor with them. From left to right: The Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales, Dorian Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge surround the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the day of the baptism of their son’s Archie (centre)
‘From a public relations point of view the Duke and Duchess really do need to show the people Archie,’ Ingrid said.
‘He is the best ticket they have got for getting people to refall in love with them,’ she added.
The couple have been very private about Archie since he was born on May 6th in Windsor, and have kept him away from the public eye when possible.
But Ingrid stressed that in order to regain some popularity with the country, the Sussexes would need to let the public see their son.
Ingrid Seward said Harry and Meghan needed to show the public their son in order to regain some popularity (pictured at Dubbo airport in 2018 during their tour of Australia)
‘People are very susceptible to images of children,’ she said. ‘I don’t see the point of hauling him all the way there only to keep him under wraps,’ she added.
The trip will mark the first overseas tour the family have made, which will see them travel through Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The couple were once the sweethearts of the nation, who gathered in their millions to see them wed last year, but a series of communication faux-pas have dented their bright reputation.
Ingrid Seward said Harry and Meghan needed to show the public their son in order to regain some popularity
Harry and Meghan were heavily criticised last month when it came to light they had allegedly been on four trips by private jet in 11 days to Ibiza and Nice.
The backlash was made stronger by the fact that the couple have been campaigning on environmental issue.
While in July, as the Duchess stepped out of Windsor to watch Wimbledon, it was reported royals fans had been barred from taking pictures of her.
Meghan was branded ‘childish’ and a ‘control freak’ after Sally Jones, 64, revealed she was warned about taking pictures – and told the royal’s ’embarrassed’ bodyguard she was trying to get a photograph of Serena and had no idea Meghan was there.
Speaking to MailOnline at the time, she added: ‘There were around 200 photographers snapping away at her but security were sent to warn an old biddy like me. It makes them look silly. It’s childish and takes us for fools’.
The public was also outraged to learn about how the couple had spent £2.4 million of public funds on the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage.
A spectator taking a selfie while Meghan’s personal assistant (dressed in white), raises her hand, in an attempt to stop pictures being taken of the Duchess of Sussex
A member of the royal security team (pictured) then asked the man not to take any pictures near her amid claims a number of people were warned off
It was reported that Harry and Meghan had splashed on several pricey designs to update the old dwelling, includinga to a £50,000 ‘eco-boiler’ housed in its own building on the premises, which supplies endless hot water and low-carbon heat.
Rumours of freezing relations between Harry and William have only added salt to the injury.
Nothing in the couple’s schedule reflect that we will get a chance to see Archie during their varied engagements, however.
Prince Harry and Meghan have so far spent a whopping £2.4 million of public funds on their home improvements at Frogmore Cottage. This money comes from the Sovereign Grant, valued at £82.2 million this year and comprised of profits from the Queen’s property portfolio (the Crown Estate), which are paid to the Government
While Prince Harry will follow in the footsteps of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales through focusing on landmines and HIV awareness, Meghan will dedicate her time to ensuring the education and safety of women.
Meghan is reportedly aiming to be ‘solution and action-oriented’ and will be bringing colouring books, pens and pencils for the children to enjoy.
The Duchess will stay in South Africa with Archie while Prince Harry travels to Botswana, and Malawi to concentrate on land mine and conservation.
The couple were pictured this weekend at the wedding of fashion designer Misha Nonoo and her oil tycoon fiancé in Rome
Harry and Meghan became embroiled in a hypocrisy row after being pictured leaving the south of France in their fourth trip by private jet in 11 days in August
Pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend ‘The Lion King’ European Premiere at Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London. The couple have been at the centre of a few controversies since their wedding last year
The first engagement on the tour will be at a township where the couple will visit underprivileged youngsters and give girls the opportunity to take self-defence lessons.
The couple were pictured this weekend at the wedding of fashion designer Misha Nonoo and her oil tycoon fiancé in Rome.
Meghan Markle arrived in a £8,900 ($13,500) Valentino dress alongside Prince Harry, joining other star-studded guests including Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and James Corden.