Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to return to the UK this month, six years after relocating to Montecito, California, but royal experts say the public's perception of the couple has shifted dramatically. According to royal expert Duncan Larcombe, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex now rank near the bottom of popularity polls, above only Prince Andrew.
Public opinion has fallen sharply since 2020
When the couple left the UK in 2020, the world was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II was still on the throne, and a significant portion of the British public still held favorable views of them after their departure from royal duties. Since then, much has changed. King Charles III now sits on the throne, Harry and Meghan have welcomed a second child, Princess Lilibet, and a series of public disclosures have aired family grievances.
Larcombe told Metro: 'They're now at the bottom, above only Prince Andrew – or former Prince Andrew – in popularity. So, the polls give us a pretty clear indication of just how far they’ve fallen like a stone through public opinion.' He added that the couple's 2018 wedding was 'all about the Markle sparkle,' suggesting they may be in for a shock upon their return: 'I don’t really think they’ll realize until they get here just how unpopular they’ve become.'
Negative press and family rift drive decline
The couple's popularity has eroded due to sustained negative press coverage following high-profile media appearances, including their interview with Oprah Winfrey, the publication of Harry's memoir Spare, and a Netflix documentary series. Much of this content focused on behind-the-scenes stories that cast other members of the Royal Family, particularly Harry's brother William, the Prince of Wales, in a negative light.
A significant rift reportedly persists between the brothers. However, the Duke of Sussex is believed to be mending ties with King Charles, having held a private meeting last month at Highgrove House. Larcombe, a former royal editor and author of a book about Harry, said the king is 'probably cautiously optimistic' about the family's decision to return across the Atlantic. Nonetheless, he said he 'can’t see any reconciliation with William as far as things stand' after the disclosures made during the couple's time in California.
Larcombe noted: 'Harry told [ITV] in his interview that the ball was effectively in the royal court – it was for them to reach out. I think William feels the exact opposite of the case and that he’s owed an apology, his wife’s owed an apology, and if Harry and Meghan don’t give that apology and make the effort, I don’t think there’s any hope for the end of the rift.'
Opportunity for Archie and Lilibet to connect with family
For Prince Archie, born a year before the move, and Princess Lilibet, born a year after, the return to the UK may offer a chance to build relationships with their extended family. Larcombe said: 'You have to hope that Archie and Lilibet will now have the opportunity to meet their cousins, to build some sort of relationship with the rest of the Royal Family, and to know where their heritage comes from and have an understanding of that, which I think in America they were very much shielded from.'
Larcombe also predicted that the couple will maintain a high public profile once settled in the UK. He said: 'It’s difficult to see them coming to England and literally living a reclusive life, sort of hidden away in the Cotswolds, not being seen publicly. Harry’s still got things like the Invictus Games and WellChild that he supports, and so he’s clearly still going to have a pretty high profile when he moves back to the UK. I can’t see them hiding away. And if this was a desire to move out of the limelight, then the UK is probably the worst place they could choose.'
