Meghan Markle ‘prepares for relaunch in UK’: Duchess ‘has reached out to British PR gurus’ for help as she battles a ‘popularity problem’ in Britain – but many will turn it down because she and Harry have a reputation ‘for not listening to advice’

Meghan Markle is searching for a UK PR guru – but some have claimed it may not be an easy sell because the Sussexes don’t have a reputation for being good listeners, MailOnline can reveal today.

The Duchess of Sussex is looking for professional help to gain more positive publicity in Britain for herself and for Archewell, the foundation which she runs with Prince Harry in California.

A star hire will also help her amid persistent rumours her lifestyle blog The Tig could return, especially after her friend Gwyneth Paltrow‘s GOOP brand burst through the $250million value over Christmas.

The search for a UK PR executive is yet another sign that 2024 is the year the Sussexes will relaunch and it appears despite being happy in California, they want to do more in Harry’s home country.

But one senior PR executive based in London told MailOnline today: ‘This is a s**t sandwich that many senior PR people will not be willing to eat. Many will turn it down. Representing the couple in the UK is a tantalising thought but they don’t have a reputation for listening to advice. What would be the point?’. 

A year ago Harry’s memoir Spare became a worldwide bestseller but his relentless attacks on his family caused plunging popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. Their Netflix documentary received poor reviews, they were dumped by Spotify and even humiliated to millions of viewers on South Park and Family Guy.

It came as Prince Harry looks set to return to the UK in May for a St Paul’s Cathedral service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The Government used its Budget yesterday to launch a £26million bid to host the event in Birmingham in 2027.

Prince Harry and Meghan are pictured on their trip to Vancouver last month ahead of next year’s Invictus Games. MailOnline understands they are looking for a UK PR expert to help them

In March 2021, the Sussexes appeared on Oprah following ‘Megxit’ and alleged that some members of the royal family questioned ‘how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born’. It caused major ructions and led to Prince William having to deny the Royal Family is racist

The Susssexes were mocked and humiliated in an episode of South Park last year where a prince and his wife went on a ‘worldwide privacy tour’

An insider told MailOnline today that the Sussexes can see an opportunity in Britain as King Charles’ slimmed-down monarchy struggles because of the monarch’s illness and William taking a backseat to support Kate after her abdominal surgery.

But the source said that PR specialists may be wary because they fear that Meghan and Harry may not heed their advice given some of decisions since Megxit, including attacks on Harry’s family and Palace’s men in grey suits.

‘The Royal Family is looking short-staffed and quite elderly’, the source said, adding: ‘The Sussexes have a popularity problem and can see there is an opportunity to step in to fill a vacuum over here with their own work. There is also growing noise stateside that Harry would like to carry out duties on behalf of his father again’.

The expert added: ‘American stars also often expect their PRs to spend their time shouting at people – that’s not going to appeal either in the UK where things are done rather differently’.

It came just a fortnight after Meghan Markle opened a new wing of an animal charity in the UK.

The Duchess of Sussex sent a personal filmed message in memory of her ‘dear friend’ Oli Juste, who introduced her to the Mayhew Trust and animal home in north-west London.

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline today that the shock online appearance in the UK revealed a great deal about the Duchess’ plans and that she still wants to work here.

He said: ‘I think that the UK is still a very important place for Meghan to have a presence and to have strong positive PR. She genuinely likes the UK and British people.

‘I would think that to bring a positive spin on her good work and her philanthropic side is very important to her – even recently with the work she does with the Mayhew she has shown her commitment to the causes she cares about’.

He added: ‘If she is going to start to promote lifestyle brands in the UK, Meghan knows that the consumer audience although smaller than North America are very style savvy and they love her looks and fashion sensibility’.

MailOnline has asked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to comment.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are putting off Americans with their ‘endless moans’ and ‘attacks’ on the Royal Family , a royal expert has claimed

In Spare, Harry alleged the Prince of Wales grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the floor, while shattering a dog bowl with his back

It came days after it was claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are putting off Americans with their ‘endless moans’ and ‘attacks’ on the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dramatically moved across the pond after quitting as senior royals and leaving Britain in January 2020.

While attempting to start a new life in the US, the couple have starred in a Netflix docuseries, launched a controversial new website, released a book and held explosive interviews about the Royal Family.

In a bid to branch out to the celebrity world, the Sussexes are often seen making appearances at glitzy events, including the ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ premiere in Jamaica in January.

But they were branded ‘insensitive’ for posing on the red carpet with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who wants to ditch the monarchy.

Last month, Harry said King Charles’s cancer diagnosis could have a ‘reunifying effect’ on the family. He made a transatlantic dash to see his father at Clarence House on February 6 but they only met for around 45 minutes.

There had been reports that Harry was willing to return to a temporary royal role to help out the slimmed down monarchy, with Princess Kate also recovering from abdominal surgery. But palace aides later said there was ‘no way back’ for Harry.

Speaking about Harry and Meghan’s time since leaving Britain, royal author Angela Levin said even Americans are getting fed up with the couple’s ‘hypocrisy’ and whingeing.

She told The Sun: ‘I think endless moaning puts off Americans because they like people who are go-getters rather than those who blame everyone else. 

‘They also don’t like the attacks on the Royal Family especially as they so loved and admired the Queen.’

Their unpopularity was made clear when they were mocked and humiliated in an episode of South Park last year.

The satirical cartoon launched a series of attacks against the couple in an episode of the show, which was entitled The Worldwide Privacy Tour and depicted the couple embarking on a publicity blitz to promote the Prince’s new book, Waaagh.

At one point, they were seen stepping off the plane holding signs which said ‘we want our privacy’ and ‘stop looking at us’. 

After the show aired, reports surfaced suggesting that Meghan had been left ‘upset and overwhelmed’ by the couple’s less-than-flattering portrayal.

Ms Levin added: ‘Nor do [Americans] like their hypocrisy as seen in South Park – they say they want privacy but they keep appearing at Z-Level awards just to get their pictures.

‘By wanting revenge they have thrown their changes down the drain. With no coming back.’