Prince Harry’s Popularity Hits New Low After BBC Interview
Prince Harry’s popularity in the UK has declined sharply following a BBC interview in which he accused the King of refusing to communicate with him.
- A recent YouGov poll showed his favourability rating dropped to 27%, marking its lowest point in over two years.
- This comes despite Harry expressing a desire to reconcile with his family during the interview.
The interview followed the Duke’s legal defeat regarding police protection in the UK.
- He described the ruling as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”, suggesting he had been unfairly treated.
- He implied the King could have resolved the matter by simply “stepping aside”, allowing security experts to act freely.
Meghan Markle’s Popularity Also Declines
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has also experienced a drop in public approval, falling to 20%, her lowest since YouGov began tracking her in 2017.
- Her highest UK rating, 55%, came in October 2019, following a tour of southern Africa.
- Since then, a combination of media appearances, personal disclosures, and family rifts has contributed to the decline.
Much like her husband, Meghan’s public image has suffered from a series of interviews and revelations, particularly the Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021 and the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare, in 2023.
William and Kate Remain the UK’s Favourite Royals
The Prince and Princess of Wales continue to lead public affection in the UK.
- According to the survey, 75% have a favourable opinion of Prince William, while 72% hold a positive view of Kate Middleton.
- Their consistent support reflects their stable public image and active royal duties.
Meanwhile, the King maintains support from over 60% of respondents, though this is a slight dip since February.
- Older Britons are generally more supportive of the monarch, while younger demographics lean marginally toward the Sussexes.
Public Opinion in the US Shows a Different Picture
In the United States, where the Sussexes now reside, Prince Harry is somewhat more popular than in the UK.
- A separate YouGov poll found that 56% of Americans view him positively, while 21% hold a negative view.
- However, Prince William remains more admired, with 63% approval and just 10% disapproval.
The Princess of Wales also enjoys greater favourability in the US than Meghan, scoring 49% positive, compared to 41% for the Duchess of Sussex.
- The King holds a 48% approval rating in the US, further indicating a gap in perception between the two nations.
Legacy Royals Still Resonate with the Public
Despite shifting views on current royals, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II remain the most popular members of the Royal Family in the US.
- These figures continue to hold emotional significance, surpassing current royals in favourability and respect.
- In contrast, Prince Andrew and the Queen Consort rank lowest in American public opinion.
The fallout from Prince Harry’s BBC interview has deepened his public image challenges, reinforcing the division between royal camps and further complicating his place within the monarchy both at home and abroad.
