“I Can’t Honestly Imagine That They Are Scheming” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Popularity Dips Amid Royal Estrangement

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once heralded as the next royal power couple, have seen their popularity plummet in recent years. Since stepping down from their roles as senior royals in early 2020, the couple has faced increasing estrangement from the royal family, coupled with a sharp decline in their public standing.

A recent report from The Daily Beast’s Royal Power List underscores this decline. The publication, which draws its data from YouGov’s latest polling figures, reveals that Prince Harry’s popularity has dipped to 34%, while Meghan Markle’s stands at a mere 26%. This is a stark contrast to the rising popularity of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who boast popularity ratings of 67% and 71%, respectively.

The Royal Power List also ranks the royals based on fame, with Prince Harry scoring a perfect 100% fame rating. Meghan follows closely with 94%. In comparison, Prince William and Kate have fame ratings of 97% and 95%. These figures are derived from the percentage of the British public who have heard of each individual, while popularity reflects the percentage of respondents with a positive opinion.

The declining popularity of the Sussexes has been a topic of discussion among royal experts. Jenny Bond, a royal commentator, has noted that Harry and Meghan are becoming “increasingly irrelevant” since their departure from royal duties. “I can’t honestly imagine that they are sitting there scheming to make announcements on the same day as a royal event. Surely they are bigger than that?” Bond told OK! magazine. Despite this, she acknowledges the curious timing of their announcements, which often coincide with significant royal events.

The timing of Harry and Meghan’s announcements has indeed raised eyebrows. For instance, the launch of Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand coincided with Princess Kate’s first public appearance following her cancer treatment. In March, news of the American Riviera Orchard was released just hours before Prince William delivered a speech at an awards ceremony honoring his late mother.

These instances have led to speculation that the Sussexes might be attempting to overshadow royal events, a notion Bond dismisses as unlikely. However, she admits that the coincidences are peculiar and contribute to their diminishing relevance in the UK.

The Royal Family, on the other hand, continues to focus on meaningful engagements. Recently, Lady Gabriella Windsor, who tragically lost her husband Thomas Kingston earlier this year, joined King Charles at the Royal Ascot. Such gestures highlight the family’s commitment to supporting each other and maintaining public goodwill.

The Sussexes’ attempts to remain in the public eye through their personal milestones and business ventures seem to have had mixed results. Their popularity ratings have not only failed to recover but have also been overshadowed by the steadfast public support for the senior royals. This ongoing dynamic underscores the challenge Harry and Meghan face in balancing their desire for independence with the public’s enduring fascination with the traditional monarchy.