In a startling shift of public sentiment, Meghan Markle’s appeal among the British populace has hit an unprecedented low, with her favourability rating now standing at a mere 20%.
This statistic positions her just above Prince Andrew, who is seen as even less popular.
Recent data from YouGov, which conducted a poll last week, reveals that this drop marks the lowest approval rating for the Duchess of Sussex since the organization began monitoring her public perception in 2017.
A striking 65% of adults in the UK view Meghan unfavourably, maintaining the same bleak outlook as the previous survey conducted in February, while her approval rating has diminished slightly from 21%.
Remarkably, Meghan’s current standing is a stark contrast to her popularity in 2019, when 55% of respondents had a positive perception of her prior to her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties.
It appears time away from the royal spotlight has not translated into public support; in fact, it seems to have had the opposite effect.
The poll indicated that age significantly influences opinions of the Duchess.
Among younger adults aged 18 to 24, 38% hold favorable views of Meghan, while this number drastically declines to just 8% among individuals aged 65 and older.
Clearly, generational divides are playing a critical role in shaping perceptions.
Turning to Prince Harry’s ratings, the picture isn’t much brighter.
Only 27% of the UK population regards him positively, with 63% conveying negative sentiments.
This represents his lowest approval rate since early 2023.
As with Meghan, Harry is viewed more favorably by the younger demographic, who seem keen to support his calls for reconciliation with his estranged family.
Life has been eventful for the Duchess lately.
She launched her new Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, while also making various public appearances, including a notable presence at the Time100 summit in New York.
However, despite its challenges, her Netflix show still managed to grab the title of the tenth most-watched program on the platform and is set to return for another series.
On top of that, Meghan’s recent culinary ventures, including jams and herbal teas, flew off the shelves immediately after orders became available, showcasing her ability to draw consumer interest, even amidst turbulent popularity ratings.
While Meghan and Harry grapple with their public personas, it seems that some royals are basking in favorable opinions.
Prince William and Kate hold the top spots as Britain’s most-loved royals, boasting 75% and 72% positive opinions respectively.
King Charles III also enjoys a respectable 61% approval rating, although it has seen a five-point decline since February.
Interestingly, perceptions of the monarchy also vary widely along generational lines.
For instance, only 43% of those aged 18 to 24 view King Charles positively, compared to a hefty 77% approval among the over-65s.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne shines bright with a 69% approval rating, boasting the least negative feedback of any royal at just 11%.
Meghan’s rankings are notably tragic, landing her second to last among royals, with only Prince Andrew faring worse, as he clings to a 5% positive view and 85% negativity.
This dismal poll of 2,222 UK adults, taken just after Harry’s interview with the BBC, paints a frustratingly clear picture for the Sussexes.
During this controversial conversation, Harry spoke candidly about his ongoing estrangement from the family and expressed concerns about his father’s reluctance to communicate.
He painted his recent court defeat over police protection as a “stitch-up” by the establishment, suggesting that the family’s ties are more strained than ever.
Unexpectedly, as the Royal Family unified to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day in London last week, stark contrast emerged between their public cohesion and the turmoil faced by Harry and Meghan.
This disparity in royal relations may just add fuel to the already roaring fire of public speculation and sentiment.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the situation for Harry appears slightly more favorable.
In a separate YouGov poll conducted for The Times, a robust 56% of U.S. adults viewed him positively, whereas Meghan trailed with only 41%.
As the business of popularity continues to fluctuate for the Sussexes, it becomes increasingly evident that they must navigate a complex web of public perception and personal ambition.