Calling the publicity shots: Why Harry and Meghan have every right to stage-manage their PR

A life off-grid has never been on the couple's agenda

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first public appearance together watching the wheelchair tennis at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, September 2017. Getty Images

Britain's Prince Harry with Meghan Markle announcing their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017. At the time, it was also announced that they would live at Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace following their marriage. AFP

The couple made their first official public engagement together in Nottingham on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images

Markle joined her fiancee and his family for a traditional royal Christmas in 2017, seen here after the church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. AFP

To begin their 2018 engagements, the couple visited Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton on January 9 in London, England. Getty Images

Ahead of their wedding, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited all of the countries in Great Britain. Seen here arriving at visit Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images

Markle took to the crowds at the walkabout events warmly. Getty Images

At early events, such as this visit to a street dance class during their visit to Star Hub community and leisure centre in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff, the couple were extremely animated. AFP

Meghan Markle's fashion choices made headlines, a favourite was the chic suit she wore for the Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony at Goldsmiths Hall on February 1, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

Following a January visit to Wales, they visited Scotland in February 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. PA

During the visit, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception for young people in the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AFP

The 'Fab Four' as they were known: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge during the first Royal Foundation Forum in central London. PA

Meghan Markle meets local school children during a walkabout with Britain's Prince Harry during a visit to Birmingham in March 2018. Reuters

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London on March 12, 2018. PA

Ahead of their wedding, the official commemorative china range was unveiled. PA

In March, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Northern Ireland. Getty Images

With the extended royal family at the The Queen's Birthday Party, at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The event was a star-studded concert to celebrate her 92nd birthday on April 21, 2018. Getty Images

Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arrive at Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust's Cliveden Estate to spend the night before her wedding to Prince Harry on May 18, 2018 in Berkshire, England. Getty Images

Ahead of their wedding, Markle's father, Thomas Markle, spoke regularly to US press and fell ill, so was unable to attend the wedding and walk her down the aisle. However, she arrived for her nuptials with mother, Doria Ragland. AFP

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images

Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex wave as they leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images

Following their wedding and honeymoon, which was speculated to be in Namibia, Rwanda or Botswana, they were back to royal life at the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour' on Horseguards parade in London on June 9, 2018. AFP

The newlyweds appeared on the balcony with the extended royal family. Wenn

Queen Elizabeth II laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during her first solo engagement, a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England. Getty Images

The couple made a string of appearances following their wedding, including to the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 19, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

Meghan arrives with her mother Doria Ragland and Prince Harry to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

Ahead of Prince Charles's 70th birthday, Clarence House released this family photo, with Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex. Clarence House via Getty Images

After announcing their pregnancy, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embarked on a 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Getty Images

The tour began in Sydney, Australia where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched competitors taking part in a sailing event at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney harbour. PA

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua on October 31, 2018. AFP

Back in London, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

Their second Christmas as a four: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018. Getty Images

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, in London, Britain March 11, 2019. This was one of the duchess's final engagements before taking maternity leave. Reuters

On May 8, 2019, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, introduce newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The baby boy was born on May 6, 2019. Getty Images

The couple held a private christening in July 2019, but released official photographs with their son. Reuters

This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess shows Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with their son, Archie and family members ,the Duchess of Cornwall, Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, near London, Britain July 6, 2019. Reuters

On the first day of their official tour 10-day tour of South Africa, the couple visited Cape Town's Nyanga township, and people from the Justice Desk initiative. Reuters

While in Cape Town, they visited Auwal Mosque, the first and oldest mosque in South Africa, in the Bo Kaap district of Cape Town, South Africa, September 24, 2019. During their time in South Africa, the duchess described adjusting to royal life as 'a struggle'. Reuters

The couple have kept Archie out of the public eye but he did accompany them on their royal tour of South Africa, where he attended a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images

Prince Harry with son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in Canada in late 2019. It had been expected that the couple would move to the North American country after leaving the British royal family, however they are now living in Los Angeles. Instagram / Sussex Royal   

The couple chose to spend Christmas 2019 away from the royal family in Canada, but returned to London and visited visit to Canada House in thanks for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada, on January 7. The following day, the couple announced their intention to step back as senior members of the royal family and split their time between the UK and North America. Getty Images

In March, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returned to London for their final string of public events. Seen here leaving the The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5. Wireimages

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive to attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain March 7, 2020. Reuters

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, made their final public appearance as royals at the 2020 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images

Why are people having such a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want to take control of their lives in the public eye?

This week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they are "overjoyed" to be expecting their second baby and that they are to be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, famously a friend of the couple.

This came days after Meghan's legal victory against British newspaper the Mail on Sunday, after the tabloid published parts of a private letter she sent to her father, Thomas Markle.

Their news also comes more than a year after the couple announced plans to step back as senior royals in January 2020.

At no stage have they declared plans to "live off-grid in the Canadian wilderness" – although I am sure that prospect crossed their minds when they read some of the hate and vitriol directed towards them, at Meghan in particular, on the internet.

To the contrary, in their earliest announcement about "stepping back" – the exact phrasing used in their January 8, 2020 statement – they say the decision was made in order to "raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter".

They also said they "[looked] forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course".

Hardly the vernacular of a publicity-shy couple cut off from the outside world.

At the same time, they published a vision for their new role on their website, which specified they would "provide access to credible media outlets focused on objective news reporting to cover key moments and events" and "continue to share information directly to the wider public via their official communications channels".

Fast-forward one year and that is exactly what they have done. They have announced a key, and joyous, event – that they are expecting a second baby – via their own spokesperson, sharing an image taken by a professional photographer, who also happens to be a friend.

Collaborations with media platforms have been in place long before they stepped back from the royal family. In April 2019, it was announced that Harry was working on a documentary series about mental health with Winfrey for Apple TV+. The Sussexes have since signed a Netflix deal worth a rumoured £100 million ($135 million); they have also joined forces with audio streaming giant Spotify.

I am still not seeing a publicity-shy behaviour pattern.

It makes sense that Winfrey is the TV personality that would get their first interview. Sure, she's certainly not a "grassroots media organisation", as per their original manifesto, but she has a long history of knowing the couple and working with them. She attended their 2018 wedding.

Winfrey also has a history of royal interviews – in 2011 she interviewed Sarah Ferguson, a year after she was caught by an undercover tabloid reporter taking a bribe in exchange for access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.

Of the interview, CBS has announced: "Winfrey will speak with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure.

"Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the US and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family."

Even this remains true to their original intentions. They are giving managed insight into their life, while attempting to side-step the harassment they faced as senior royals.

Following their Valentine's Day pregnancy news, British tabloid the Daily Star splashed the Misan Harriman photograph that was released with the announcement on its cover, with the headline: "You couldn't make this up ... publicity-shy woman tells 7.67 billion people: 'I'm pregnant'."

The fact that Prince Harry is also in the photo seems to have been conveniently missed in the misogynistic reporting.

Nobody wants to hear they're the gas lighter in a relationship, but I can't help but feel that's what has happened with fractions of the British press. They have been called out for their abusive ways, and now they're acting out. The cycle of abuse could have continued this way indefinitely, if Harry and Meghan hadn't tried to put a stop to it.

Since stepping back as senior royals, the pair have remained firmly in the public eye. They have taken part in high-profile summits via Zoom, handed out meals to those in need in Los Angeles mid-pandemic and even launched a podcast.

At no stage have they behaved like people who wish to live as anonymous members of the general public. Meghan has just asked not to have private letters to her father published for the world to see.

Even the Kardashians dictate and control the lens on their lives, and they literally invited a camera crew into their homes for the best part of 14 years, documenting their every move.

Harry and Meghan, however, never asked to have every step they took documented.

Meghan was a relatively well-known woman who fell in love with one of the most famous people on the planet. A royal who has always had a fraught relationship with the media and public eye; a parent dying following a car chase with paparazzi will do that to a person, though.

Yet here we are, 23 years later, living with the same level of entitlement when it comes to watching the royals.