How Kate Middleton, Prince William's PR Strategy Changed After Meghan, Harry's Oprah Interview: Report

Kate Middleton and Prince William have changed their style and become more open following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey, according to a number of royal experts.

Royal historian Claire McHugh, author of the novel "A Most English Princess," told Insider that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were more formal and cautious in their actions during engagements and posts on social media compared to Markle and Prince Harry.

According to McHugh, Middleton "defines cautiousness" and Prince William is "so suspicious of the media" due to his childhood experiences. However, she noted that they've been sharing less formal moments on social media and showing more public displays of affection following the Sussexes' tell-all with Winfrey in March.

"It's very interesting to me that in the wake of the Oprah interview they have really adjusted their style," McHugh said.

"They realized if they don't, they'll be overshadowed by this couple living in California, so they have to show themselves," she added. "They have to reveal who they are more, because that's the currency now. So they let the anniversary film out and they have YouTube and they make jokes, it's a new world."

Prince William and Middleton launched their own YouTube channel last month with a 30-second clip that showed them bantering with each other. In April, the royal couple also shared a rare family video on their 10th wedding anniversary showing them being affectionate with each other.

Prince William and Middleton frequently interacted with the public during their recent Scotland tour and even packed on PDA when they visited the University of St. Andrews in late May, Yahoo News reported. The couple also posted on Instagram videos from their tour showing them laughing with each other and the public rather than the usual formal speeches, Insider noted.

Celebrity brand management expert Eric Schiffer said that the future king and queen consort took their cue from the Sussexes and showed a more relatable side to them potentially as part of their strategy to keep the monarchy going.

"Right now, Harry and Meghan have an advantage because they're tuned in and understand the minds and hearts of Gen Z and Millenials," Schiffer told Insider. "They're unmasking what it's like to be a royal and allowing the public to feel like you're now friends with a royal. So the challenge for Kate and William will be finding ways to connect emotionally, without losing the majesty and decorum of the Crown."

However, McHugh told the outlet that Prince William and Middleton's "strategy" is not really new for the royal family. She said it's a strategy that's been used by them since the 1840s when "all sorts of monarchies were being overturned and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had to find a way to make the monarchy seem more appealing so that it would stick around."

"So they fought back by showing, oh no, the monarchy is just like you. They showcased their children much more than any monarch had done before, they took the families on expeditions to Scotland," the royal author continued.