Public opinion in the UK reflects lasting fallout from royal exit
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to face backlash in Britain, as new
polls and expert commentary suggest the British public has made up its mind
about the couple’s royal departure.
As Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday on August 4, reports indicate that
support for her in the UK remains limited. Royal author Ingrid Seward claimed
the Duchess of Sussex is unlikely to be welcomed back, especially following
her and Harry’s decision to step down as working royals in 2020 and relocate
to the United States.
A royal insider echoed this sentiment, saying: “The Duchess is not interested
in returning to the UK—she wants to build her own kingdom in the US. The
British public has already delivered its verdict after her public criticism of
the monarchy.”
Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s standing in his home country appears to be suffering
as well. A recent Ipsos poll revealed that only 21 percent of Britons now view
him as more of a royal than a celebrity. The results suggest a significant
shift in public perception, especially as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
continue to build their brand outside royal traditions.
Since their move, Harry and Meghan have been involved in a number of
high-profile interviews and media projects, including the Duke’s controversial
memoir Spare. These efforts have widened the rift with the Royal Family and
further influenced public sentiment back in the UK.
With ongoing efforts to secure new content deals in the U.S., including with
Netflix, the couple remains focused on expanding their influence abroad — even
as their ties to the UK continue to weaken.
