Royal expert Nile Gardiner claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have touched a sensitive spot in the United States by criticizing the Royal Family from their California residence. Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, the couple has made several outspoken remarks about life as royals, including their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently been scrutinized for their criticisms of the royals, particularly following their Netflix documentary series and Harry's memoir, "Spare." A poll indicated that the couple's popularity in the US has plummeted, suggesting that the American public is growing increasingly critical of them.
Washington-based foreign policy expert and royal commentator Nile Gardiner told Express.co.uk, "The Royal Family is very popular in the US and the late Queen Elizabeth II especially was extremely popular." He added, "Harry and Meghan struck a raw nerve here in the US and Americans don't generally attack the Royal Family."
Gardiner continued, stating that the couple is "deeply unpopular" in the US, as the public now "really sees through their character." A YouGov poll for Newsweek showed that Harry and Meghan's popularity had dropped significantly in the first three months of 2023. The Prince's popularity fell from 52% in the final quarter of 2022 to 46%, while Meghan's likability dropped to 36% and her dislikability rose to 24%.
Gardiner said, "There has been a huge backlash against them in the US. Opinion polls show they are deeply unpopular figures and their standing has absolutely plummeted since the release of the Netflix documentary series and Harry's book."
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield also discussed the couple's declining popularity in the US and Meghan's decision to skip the Coronation next month. She said, "This is self-preservation for Meghan Markle. It ensures she's not humiliated, booed or picked apart in front of the world."
However, a recent poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton for Newsweek found that Harry and Meghan's popularity has increased following the announcement that only the Prince would attend the Coronation. The survey, which polled 1,500 registered American voters, showed that Harry's favorability rose from 32% in February to 39% in April, while Meghan's popularity increased from 27% two months ago to 33%.
