The tale of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has become a captivating saga, tracing the ups and downs of their public appeal.
Once celebrated as symbols of modern royalty, the couple’s fortunes have drastically shifted from adoration to scrutiny.
What led to this remarkable transformation?
A detailed timeline unravels the series of events that have contributed to their diminishing popularity.
Back in November 2018, Harry stood out as a favorite among the British public.
His carefree demeanor allowed him to charm the nation, and he even secured a win in a national poll, outshining even the venerable Queen.
Being the ‘Spare’ in line to the throne, he nonetheless carved out a reputation that resonated with many who appreciated his everyman persona, despite past blunders like donning a Nazi costume at a party in 2005 or infamous escapades in Las Vegas.
The marriage to Meghan in May 2018 initially sparked hope.
Many envisioned the union as a remedy to rising republican sentiments among younger British citizens.
Their approach seemed to resonate with the younger crowd, making them a beloved pair – at least, for a while.
Following the birth of their first child, Archie, in May 2019, they maintained significant public interest.
However, their decision to shun traditional royal customs, such as forgoing the customary photo call, stirred skepticism.
Meghan’s candid interview during their tour in South Africa in 2019 marked the beginning of a noticeable shift.
She openly expressed her emotional struggles, mentioning that few inquiries were made about her well-being.
While her vulnerability garnered attention, some critics viewed her comments as disconnected from reality.
However, this didn’t drastically impact their broader popularity in that moment.
The pivotal moment came in January 2020 when Harry and Meghan declared their intent to step back from royal duties.
The announcement, characterized by an abrupt statement on Instagram, was perceived by many as an affront to the Queen, leaving the monarchy reeling.
Their choice to forfeit royal titles, repay public funds, and forgo financial backing from the government led to a significant dip in their public image.
The couple faced intensified backlash following their revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, watched by millions.
Meghan described her life in the royal spotlight as a nightmare fraught with mental health challenges.
Their allegations, including claims of racism from an unnamed royal family member, ignited a firestorm.
Critics found their televised grievances as a breach of royal decorum—especially with the palace’s longstanding ethos of maintaining silence on personal matters.
Despite the birth of their daughter Lilibet in June 2021, which would typically bring joy, the name choice provoked dismay among royal watchers, who speculated that the Queen would be unhappy about the use of her cherished nickname.
Still, the controversy over Lilibet didn’t significantly hurt their standing at that point.
As they settled in California, Harry and Meghan began to slip out of the public consciousness, only to resurface in September 2021 when Meghan’s expensive outfit drew attention during a visit to an underprivileged school.
Wearing an ensemble that cost over £5,000 raised eyebrows, especially considering the demographic of the school’s students who primarily qualified for free meals.
Other than some criticism, this incident failed to shake their prestigious status significantly.
Fast forward to May 2022, and Meghan was again in the spotlight for her appearance in Uvalde, Texas, shortly after a tragic school shooting.
Many perceived the gesture as tone-deaf and opportunistic, stirring the pot of public opinion further against her.
Public reactions reinforced her image as someone seeking attention rather than genuinely showing compassion during a time of mourning.
The tragic passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 brought a momentary softening of public sentiment towards Harry and Meghan.
The royal family received a collective boost in popularity, with Harry experiencing heightened empathy following the loss of his grandmother.
But this little respite was short-lived.
Their much-anticipated Netflix series, released in December 2022, was met with mixed reactions; while it achieved high viewership, many found it self-indulgent.
Claims made about the royal family’s biases and personal tales led to a further deterioration in public perception.
Despite being heralded as a documentary, it left viewers feeling exhausted by their self-pitying narrative.
The release of Harry’s memoir, Spare, in January 2023, marked an even sharper decline in their reception.
While it sold remarkably well, the content painted a picture of a royal disgruntled with entitlement rather than one deserving of sympathy, leading many to view him as entitled and resentful.
By February 2023, an episode of the animated series South Park served as another blow to their reputations, depicting them as overly demanding of privacy yet frequently seeking publicity.
This satirical portrayal contributed further to their wave of negative sentiment in both the UK and the US.
Now, as they navigate public life, Harry and Meghan face a deeply divided opinion landscape.
A recent poll showed that around 25% of the British population still supports them, with younger generations leaning more positive while older demographics largely reject them.
They remain just above Prince Andrew in unpopularity, highlighting the struggles they face in attempting to rewrite their narrative within the royal framework.
Whether they can regain the public’s favor remains uncertain as they continue on their journey far removed from traditional royalty.
