Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s major rebrand as couple prepare to launch new projects
THE Invictus Games is Prince Harry's pride and joy but this year's events are also relaunching Meghan back into the world.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, has barely been seen in public since a huge PR blitz last year and was noted for avoiding all promotion for Harry's bombshell book Spare.
But she has been pushed front and centre and making headline news in Dusseldorf despite arriving three days late - and that's where she plans to stay.
From walking hand-in-hand with Harry, cuddling children, waving a Nigeria flag and singing along to Sweet Caroline, Meghan has not been photographed so often in years.
Meg's public reappearance comes hot on the heels of dipping feet back into the water of publicity this summer.
She has been dancing at a Beyonce concert, appeared in a glut of appearances in social media posts, and increase of paparazzi shots driving and getting a drive-thru burger.
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These are apparently just a coincidence.
But her reemergence into public life comes ahead of her new projects to be announced at the end of the year.
The aim of igniting a rebrand at the Invictus Games means Meghan is seen to be “natural and fun" with a smiling and relaxed Harry by her side.
The games with a friendly audience give her the chance to be in the glare of the world’s media in a friendly setting for almost a week.
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And it puts her profile back into the public consciousness ahead of these much-promised projects.
Within two-and-a-half hours of touching down - and with the world being told she did her own hair and make-up and wore a belt from a vintage shop - she launched herself on the games and delivered a two-minute speech without any notes.
Despite online claims the Sussex marriage is on the rocks she has barely been separated from Harry since her arrival - in a bid to scotch the rumours.
The couple have been seen holding hands and performing huge displays of public affection.
Meg tenderly rubbed Harry’s back as they watched the USA win the wheelchair basketball.
After years of avoiding media attention the couple are not hiding from the cameras and getting massive coverage as a result.
On her first full day, Meg packed in a string of appearances, waving her hands in the air to German beer hall music, sang along to 'Sweet Caroline' and took to a sports court to hug children and present them with medals.
On her second day she sat with Nigeria fans for the seated volleyball.
Both Harry and Meghan have been smiling and laughing during their time together at the games with insiders saying they "are in a really good place" and "love being" in Dusseldorf.
Onlookers who watched the couple, particularly during a children’s relay race, appear more comfortable and relaxed in front of the world’s media in Germany, than they have for years.
Insiders say the games are the start of “the version of them people knew they could be and hoped they would be”.
This rebrand is a bid to rid the Sussexes of the negativity that blighted the three-and-a-half years since Megxit.
Gone are the tell-all docu-series in which old family wounds are reopened and fresh attacks against the media and Britain are launched which have damaged rather than enhanced their reputation.
There are no more books planned in which Harry, or Meghan, will unleash a storm on their family - which has spectacularly backfired.
As revealed by The Sun in August, Meghan is ready to move on after Megxit, and this includes accepting that she will appear in the media.
This has been assisted by openness of information including Meghan’s outfits during the games.
So far there has been a Banana Republic dress, belt from a vintage shop, Staud pleated shorts and
Not only does Meghan want to be seen but she wants the world to know what she is wearing.
Even Meghan’s much-lambasted claim that she was 43 per cent Nigerian has been played upon.
Harry made a light-hearted joke about her claimed ancestry in his opening speech and she went to watch Nigeria v Ukraine in the sitting volleyball.
Meg held a Nigeria flag and celebrated with fans who were seated beside her.
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The couple have clearly been damaged and affected by the criticism they have often brought upon themselves through their own actions in recent years.
But by hailing wounded soldiers, being seen having fun, and supporting each other in public, then they hope that there is little to criticise.
