In the grand theater of celebrity, it seems Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer the leading characters they once were.
Recent insights from royal expert Ingrid Seward have concluded that the couple’s star power is waning in the United States, and the reasons behind this sentiment are rather illuminating.
Seward, who serves as the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, recently shared her observations with The Standard.
According to her, numerous Americans harbor negative feelings toward Harry and Meghan.
She points out a significant factor in this downturn: many people feel that the couple let down the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple’s choice to abandon their royal roles in 2020 and subsequently air family grievances has reportedly strained their relationship with the American public.
Their headline-grabbing decisions haven’t stopped since their move to California; the Sussexes have consistently been in the media spotlight.
Their 2021 bombshell interview with Oprah, the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” all contain critical reflections on the royal family.
These revelations appear to have backfired in terms of public relations as they grapple with a rather frosty reception from their new home.
Residing in a lavish $14 million Montecito mansion, Prince Harry and Meghan are navigating this perplexing new world, where their past decisions hang over them.
Kinsey Schofield, another royal commentator, suggests that interest in the pair has dwindled as people realize perhaps too much credit was given to them at the outset.
Statements from Eric Trump, which indicated that Americans simply don’t care about the Sussexes, echo this sentiment.
Hollywood, once a welcoming stage for Harry and Meghan, has turned lukewarm.
Publicist Jane Owen remarked that the couple is “definitely not doing well” in the Los Angeles social scene, where they were once expected to shine.
With promising opportunities at major streaming platforms, their performances have not only fallen short but have also impacted their budding careers in a significant way.
The couple saw a colossal setback in 2023 when they lost their $20 million Spotify deal.
After merely 12 podcasts were produced under their label, Archewell Audio, the streaming service abandoned the partnership.
Meghan’s podcast, “Archetypes,” was meant to dissect societal challenges facing women, but it didn’t make the splash they envisioned.
Stacy Jones, an LA marketing agency founder, commented on the fall from grace, highlighting how trust is essential in Hollywood.
Without a renewed sense of enthusiasm surrounding their projects, Harry and Meghan find themselves struggling to regain footing in a competitive industry that once embraced them eagerly.
Moreover, whispers in the industry suggest that friendships within Hollywood have deteriorated.
High-profile connections with celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and Oprah Winfrey have reportedly grown distant.
Former butler to Princess Diana, Paul Burrell, highlighted this shift, suggesting that many celebrities prefer to align themselves with Prince William and Kate Middleton instead of the Sussexes.
Despite their declining popularity, Harry and Meghan remain adept at drawing attention wherever they go.
However, it’s clear that the excitement around their public persona is not what it used to be.
Their attempts to revive their standing include separating their public appearances, a move that has provoked rumors of a potential professional divide.
As the couple looks to navigate these choppy waters, it remains to be seen how they will rebuild their image and regain the favorable standing they once enjoyed.
The blend of royal history and Hollywood glamour had created a fascinating narrative, but now, the Sussexes find themselves on the back foot, searching for ways to win back the hearts of Americans.
In a world where popularity can flicker out like a candle, Harry and Meghan’s next moves will undoubtedly be watched closely, as they attempt to reclaim not just their former glory but perhaps their relevance as well.
