The Brand Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Brand Breakdown, Michelle and Courtney dive into the latest updates from across the pond, examining how the British royal family continues to manage personal challenges and public perception. They break down Kate Middleton’s recent Mother’s Day video and how she’s reshaping her public image with poise and vulnerability during her cancer treatment. Meanwhile, King Charles’ health scare and quick return to duty signal a shift toward more transparency from the monarchy.

The conversation shifts to Meghan Markle’s return to the spotlight with her new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, a cozy lifestyle series centered around entertaining and hospitality. But all isn’t rosy in Sussex-land — Courtney and Michelle dig into a potential logo debacle with Meghan’s As Ever brand and a developing story around Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, where tensions have led to a mass board resignation. From soft power to hard headlines, the hosts explore how each royal redefines their role in this modern era.

• Kate Middleton’s public presence is evolving as she navigates cancer treatment — showing quiet strength, compassion, and a more assertive side.
• King Charles’ brief health scare marked a rare moment of royal transparency, which may set a new tone.
• Meghan Markle returns to lifestyle media with With Love, Meghan, a Netflix show that leans into her California aesthetic and passion for hosting.
• Meghan’s “As Ever” brand may be facing a logo controversy, potentially complicating its launch.
• Prince Harry and the board of Sentebale stepped down amidst reported conflict with the chair, sparking questions about his future philanthropic roles.
• The royal calendar is heating up as spring and summer bring a packed schedule of engagements — and likely, more headlines.

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Welcome back to another episode of The Brand Breakdown's A Royal Mess. Today we're dropping in with a breaking news episode because The Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton) has announced that she's done with chemo!

• The Prince & Princess of Wales YouTube | Coronation Weekend Video
• @KensingtonRoyal - Official Announcement from The Princess of Wales

Welcome back to The Brand Breakdown's A Royal Mess, Weekly Wrap-Up! As the royals start to move toward their Summer Season - their busiest time of the year! - we had lots to discuss last week, including an update on The King's health, new Honours for Prince William, Catherine, The Princess of Wales, and The Duchess of Gloucester, and a bit of Sussex discussion.

• Meghan Markle’s Calligraphy Is Still Perfect | Vanity Fair
• Kris Jenner Gifted Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard Jam
• Prince Harry wears his medals for special reason after missing out on royal honour | HELLO!
• Order of the British Empire - Wikipedia
• Order of the Garter - Wikipedia
• New appointments to various Orders of Chivalry announced

On this week's episode Michelle and Courtney break down The Duchess of Sussex's American Riviera Orchard (ARO) Jam influencer promo, Harry's official residency move from the UK to the US, The King and Prince William's plans for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October, and a few other royal bits and bobs.

Huge apologies for the poor audio on this one - Courtney was trying to record in a new space and it did NOT work out at all. If you can tolerate the clicking through the entire episode, it's a fun one!

If you're enjoying The Brand Breakdown, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app and follow along on social media @TheBrandBreakdown_.

A LOT has been happening in the royal realm over the past week. Last Friday we postponed our Weekly Wrap-Up out of sensitivity for The Princess of Wales's announcement - but we're back today to chat about it, as well as some other royal updates including an update on The King's health, Meghan Markle's (The Duchess of Sussex) search for a CEO of American Riviera Orchard, and a few other tidbits.

Don't worry - we'll be back with a full update on Friday as well.

If you're enjoying A Royal Mess, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow along on our socials @TheBrandBreakdown_.

There's been a TON going on in the royal realm this week - and we're here to break it all down for you. On this episode of The Brand Breakdown's A Royal Mess Weekly Wrap-up we're discussing the fact that the Sussexes perfectly (?) timed not one but two announcements to try and derail an important event for Prince William, diving into the Kate Middleton photogate scandal a little bit more, and giving a quick update on King Charles and his cancer battle.

• How Harry and Meghan's perfectly timed PR blitz torpedoed William's Diana tribute: Duchess launched 'Tig 2.0' just before Wills took to stage with moving speech, before couple announced civil rights award from LA in middle of 25th anniversary event | Daily Mail Online
• Harry and Meghan's photographer shares unedited image to end Kate Middleton-style Photoshop scandal
• Kate photo: Princess of Wales seen after saying she edited Mother's Day picture
• Commonwealth Day | Commonwealth - Details on the Commonwealth Day service, it's significance, etc.
• King gives cheery greeting to Baroness Scotland during Palace audience | The Independent

*Please Note: This episode was edited after it was published to remove an error (we couldn't think of a word and had a few seconds of being goofs - nothing that impacts the factual OR opinion portions of the episode at all!)

Welcome to the final episode in The Brand Breakdown's series on Kate Middleton, The Princess of Wales. In this episode we're taking a look at how the royal family as a whole, and Kate in particular, can overcome controversy if they seem reluctant to let go of the royal's motto of "never complain, never explain." For a woman who hasn't put a foot wrong in over 20 years in the spotlight, the past few weeks have shown us that perhaps the royal PR and branding department needs to make some adjustments.

If you're enjoying The Brand Breakdown, be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media @TheBrandBreakdown_.

Welcome to a bonus episode of A Royal Mess. On this episode we're taking a look at the entire controversy surrounding Catherine, The Princess of Wales (formerly Kate Middleton) - from where she's been, the photo that was taken of her and her mother, to the "manipulated" photo released on UK Mother's Day.

If you're enjoying The Brand Breakdown, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow us on social media @TheBrandBreakdown_.

Note: Since there's been some comments re: Courtney's lived experience being told by her doctor that the age of viability was 24 weeks, here's a professional medical source.

Welcome back to The Brand Breakdown! On this episode we discussed the will she/won't she of whether Kate, The Princess of Wales would be attending Trooping the Colour later this year, how William is reshaping the monachy, and Prince Andrew hitting the headlines again. We also took a look at some of the biggest bombshells that have come from the Sussex camp... and debunked them.

Editorial Note: In this episode we referenced the Letters Patent of 1937 being the instrument that dictates royal styles and titles. This is incorrect! It’s the Letters Patent of 1917.

Welcome back to The Brand Breakdown! This episode is part 5 in our series about The Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton). In this episode, we're taking a look at one of the biggest criticisms that Catherine has faced during her time as a member of the royal family - her low engagement/work count. This episode also takes us through Catherine's pregnancy with Prince George, the changes that were made to the Order of Succession and to the royal titles and styles of royal babies, and more.

*Yes, we know - her name is not Kate Middleton. But for SEO purposes, we threw it in there.