Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing a “crucial turning point” that could determine their future popularity, according to a PR expert. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen their favourability ratings plummet since stepping down as senior royals in 2020, with recent YouGov polling showing only 30% of Brits view Harry positively and 19% hold a favourable opinion of Meghan, placing them just above Prince Andrew in public esteem.
The couple completed their first quasi-royal tour this year in Jordan, described as a low-key event, while Meghan continues to focus on her lifestyle brand, As Ever. PR expert Mayah Riaz told the Mirror that Harry and Meghan “no longer have the institutional weight of the monarchy behind them” and are now competing in a “crowded celebrity marketplace” where star power alone is insufficient.
Riaz said the couple are “at a crossroads” and must choose a clear direction: either “lean fully into being global philanthropists with measurable impact” or “fully embrace lifestyle entrepreneurship and own it unapologetically.” She warned that sitting between the two creates confusion, which in the current media climate is “the quickest route to indifference.”
While acknowledging that Harry and Meghan remain “globally recognised” and a “powerful asset,” Riaz emphasised that relevance now depends on “consistency, credibility and connection” rather than titles. She noted that controversy within the royal family does not automatically translate into opportunity for those outside it, as the public often rallies around stability in turbulent times.
Riaz added that when the couple stepped away, their narrative was about service, impact and freedom from royal constraint. If the public now sees “curated kitchens and lifestyle branding front and centre,” it can feel like a pivot rather than an evolution, potentially further eroding their support.
