Prince Harry's Popularity Will 'Increase Markedly' By Keeping His PR 'Lifeline,' Expert Says
Prince Harry could see his popularity in the U.K. rise again if he sticks with his "lifeline," a PR expert has predicted.
Recent polls have shown that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now among the least popular members of the royal family, four years after stepping back from royal duties and moving to the U.S. in 2020.
Ahead of Prince Harry's return to London next month for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Edward Coram-James told Express U.K. that he believes the international sporting event the Duke of Sussex founded is the key to the "revival" of his reputation.
"From a PR point of view, you don't cut ties with your lifeline," the PR expert with London-based search engine marketing and PR agency Go Up explained.
Coram-James said he sees Prince Harry's popularity increasing "markedly" in the coming years if he continues to maintain his connection with the Invictus Games.
"Assuming that the Duke has read the tea leaves and has the objectivity and discipline to perform a sustaining pivot rooted in an enduring commitment to causes like Invictus, then I do believe that his popularity will increase markedly in the years ahead," Coram-James told the outlet.
This popularity increase will be good news for Prince Harry, according to the PR expert, as it would convince the Invictus board to "stick with him."
But Coram-James suggested that nowadays, Prince Harry likely needs the Invictus Games more than the event needs him.
"In many ways, the event has outgrown its founder. Invictus no longer relies on Harry for media attention," he told Express.
Prince Harry founded the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in 2014.
So far, six Invictus Games have been held, with the next one set for Canada in 2025.
In February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the country for the three-day Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025's One Year to Go celebration.
Photos showed Prince Harry and Markle dressed in winter gear as they joined the participating nations' winter training camp.
The royal couple was seen speaking with athletes in adaptive skis and their guides, with Prince Harry even trying the skis himself.
Next month, Prince Harry is set to attend a special service to be held in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
He is expected to give a speech during the ceremony on May 8.
It is unclear if his wife will join him on the trip back to London, but GB News royal correspondent Cameron Walker recently said that Prince Harry and Markle need to "do more" to increase their popularity among British people, according to Express.
In YouGov's latest royal family favorability poll, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex only ranked higher than disgraced Prince Andrew in terms of popularity.
According to the survey, conducted from April 2 to 3, just 31% of Brits had a favorable opinion of Prince Harry, while only 26% viewed his wife positively.
More than 60% of respondents did not like Prince Harry and Markle, the poll found.
This marked a massive drop in popularity for Prince Harry from November 2019, when 72% of Brits had a positive opinion of him, according to Statista.
