Meghan Markle's return to the UK has been dealt a significant setback, as a new YouGov poll shows her favourability rating has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded since she became Prince Harry's partner. Only 20% of Britons now hold a positive opinion of the Duchess of Sussex, while 68% view her critically, leaving her with a net favourability rating of -48% for October.
Popularity Plummets Since 2019
The new figures represent a stark contrast to the couple's standing before Megxit in 2020. A YouGov poll from 2019 showed that 54% of Brits had a positive view of Meghan and 34% a negative one, giving her a net favourability of +20%. That positive figure turned negative after Harry and Meghan announced they were quitting the UK for North America.
In the summer, the Sussexes revealed they were returning to the UK to stay permanently, a decision that reportedly surprised King Charles and Prince William, who knew little about it in advance. Meghan may have hoped for a 'bounce in the polls' similar to the recent 'Burnham bounce' enjoyed by Labour, but the latest YouGov data suggests otherwise.
Harry's Ratings Also Decline
Prince Harry's ratings have also fallen. Just 29% of Britons have a positive opinion of him, down four points since July, while 60% view him unfavourably, giving him a net favourability of -31%.
In the league table of most popular royals, Prince William tops the list, followed by Catherine in second, Princess Anne in third, and King Charles in fourth. Sophie, Edward, and Camilla follow, with Harry in eighth place. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are ninth and tenth, and the Duchess of Sussex is 11th. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is 12th, with just 4% of Britons holding a positive view of the former Duke of York.
Reasons Behind the Decline
The timing of Megxit has been cited as a factor in the couple's declining popularity. If they had not left the UK, they would not have been in California in March 2020 when the UK entered pandemic lockdown. Some of the public may feel the Sussexes abandoned the UK when unity and leadership were needed.
The article also suggests that the couple's public statements, including portrayals of William and Kate on TV chat shows and in the memoir Spare, as well as calling Queen Camilla a "wicked stepmother," may have contributed to their unpopularity. It suggests a public apology to Prince William and Catherine, to Queen Camilla, and to King Charles could be a start, but concludes that such an apology seems unlikely and that their popularity is not expected to soar soon.
