If you’ve been following the Sussexes for the last few years, you’re probably used to the "clapback." It was their signature move. A tabloid would drop a nasty report, and within hours, a spokesperson would issue a sharp rebuttal, or a "source close to the couple" would be briefing the major glossies. But lately? Crickets. Honestly, the shift is jarring. As we head into 2026, Meghan and Harry's response to recent criticisms is uncharacteristically muted, and it has royal watchers and PR gurus scratching their heads.
The silence isn't just a coincidence. It feels like a calculated pivot away from the high-drama years of Spare and the Netflix docuseries. Remember when every perceived slight was met with a "truth bomb"? Those days seem to be over, replaced by a strategy that looks a lot more like the royal "never complain, never explain" mantra they once tried to escape.
The "Dictator in High Heels" and the silence that followed
The most recent wave of heat hit hard. First, there was that brutal Hollywood Reporter piece that labeled Meghan a "dictator in high heels." In the past, that kind of headline would have triggered a full-scale media counter-offensive. Instead, the Sussexes stayed relatively quiet. Aside from a few friendly testimonials from current staff members—clearly intended to soften the blow—the couple didn't go on a late-night talk show to defend their honor.
Then came the staffing "exodus." By early 2026, reports surfaced that several high-level employees had moved on, including their long-time aide James Holt and their chief communications officer Meredith Maines.
Critics like Sky News contributor Louise Roberts haven't held back, claiming the couple has "no strategy" left. Yet, the official response from Archewell Philanthropies was basically a shrug. They framed the departures as "structural redundancies" and "inevitable" during a rebranding phase. It’s a very corporate, very sanitized way of saying "nothing to see here."
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Why the sudden change in tone?
There are a few theories floating around. Some PR experts, like Renae Smith, have suggested that Meghan is being advised to "dial down the reactive mode" to make room for her business ventures.
Think about it:
- If you’re trying to sell a "lifestyle" brand like As Ever (formerly American Riviera Orchard), you can’t be seen as constantly aggrieved.
- Homewares and jam don't mix well with public feuds.
- Investors want stability, not a headline-generating machine that might blow up their marketing plan.
Basically, they're trying to build a "brand rhythm." You can't be a Martha Stewart-style mogul if you’re still fighting the battles of 2021. The muted response suggests they’ve finally realized that every time they fight back, they just give the story another three days of oxygen.
Separate paths and the 2026 reset
It’s also impossible to ignore the "drifting" narrative. Don't worry, I'm not talking about their marriage—it’s their professional lives. Harry is leaning heavily back into his global philanthropic work, frequently traveling solo for Sentebale and the Invictus Games. He’s also reportedly focused on a "full threat assessment" for his security in the UK, a major win that has him feeling more optimistic about a reconciliation with King Charles.
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Meghan, meanwhile, is deep in the Hollywood mix. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan has been a moderate success, even if critics were less than kind to her holiday specials (which, let’s be real, got absolutely roasted on Rotten Tomatoes).
The silence might be a way to protect these individual goals. Harry doesn't want to jeopardize his cautious bridge-building with his father by attacking the press, and Meghan doesn't want to overshadow her products with personal drama. It’s a "pick your lane" moment.
The risks of the quiet approach
Is this working? It’s a gamble. For years, their brand was built on being the outsiders who spoke their truth. If they stop speaking, what’s left?
Recent YouGov data from early 2026 shows Meghan’s favorability at its lowest recorded point (around 19% in the UK). Some people see the silence as a sign of defeat. Others, like brand expert Nick Ede, think 2026 is a "pivotal reset year." He argues that "the biggest win for Meghan would be to let her work speak louder than her story."
But the tabloids aren't going to stop. Whether it's the "Paris car photo" scandal where critics claimed she was being insensitive to Princess Diana’s memory, or the website glitch that leaked stock numbers for her gift boxes, the noise is constant. By not responding, they risk letting the critics control the narrative entirely.
Actionable steps for the Sussex strategy
If they want this muted approach to actually pay off in 2026, they have to commit to a few things:
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- Consistency over drama: They need to stick to the lifestyle and charity lanes without veering back into "tell-all" territory.
- Product quality: If the Netflix shows and the As Ever products are genuinely good, the public will eventually move on from the old scandals.
- Strategic presence: Instead of reacting to every rumor, they should focus on high-impact, positive appearances that don't feel like "damage control."
The era of the Sussex "clapback" might be dead. Whether this new, quieter version of the couple can actually win over a skeptical public remains to be seen. But for now, they seem content to let the world wonder while they focus on the long game.
Next steps to watch for: Keep an eye on the official launch of Meghan's rumored cookbook and Harry's next UK visit; these will be the real tests of whether this "muted" strategy is a temporary truce or a permanent lifestyle change.