Harry And Meghan Face More Bad News About Their Popularity Rating
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make their way to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee, it seems that since being away from the British spotlight their popularity has decreased among the public. In a recent poll published by market research company YouGov, over 1,600 people were asked whether they liked or disliked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The data reveals over half of those surveyed (58%) dislike the royal prince, compared to 32% who view him favorably. It's a little worse for Markle, as 63% of respondents view her in a negative light while only 23% like the Duchess of Sussex.
Judging by YouGov's data, Harry and Markle's popularity started to wane substantially when they announced they were stepping down from senior royal life in January 2020 (via BBC News). From there, their popularity continued to decrease into the negative, spiking a little bit towards the positive for just a moment in 2021 before their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 (via YouTube).
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren't the most disliked royals
All is not lost for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As YouGov notes, those surveyed between the ages of 18 and 24 saw the royal couple in a remarkably more positive light. For Harry, only 33% held a negative view compared to the 42% who saw him favorably. The split is a little closer for Markle, with 38% seeing her in a positive light and 36% holding the opposite view. The dislike for the couple stems from the older generation, specifically those aged 50 to 65+.
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be the second most disliked members of the royal family, nothing compares to the British public's disdain for Prince Andrew. The Duke of York has been one of the least liked royals for quite some time, but following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal (via Town & Country) his popularity reached an all-time low in May 2022 with 85% sharing their dislike of the royal and only 5% admitting that they still like him.
There's a possibility their popularity may increase during the Platinum Jubilee
The British public may not be huge fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the moment, but their opinion may change depending on how they present themselves during the Platinum Jubilee. They are, after all, bringing their two children Archie and Lilibet along for the ride (via Marie Claire). Whether or not they make a public appearance remains to be seen, but there's always a chance that perceptions may change seeing how they interact with their kids as well as other members of the royal family — especially Queen Elizabeth.
According to the Daily Mail, the monarch is "looking forward" to seeing her great-grandchildren when they arrive in the UK for the four-day celebration. Per The Week, Queen Elizabeth will reportedly meet the couple and their children at Lilibet's first birthday — which will also mark the first time the monarch has met her great-granddaughter.