Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's efforts to reconnect with international audiences suffered a setback in Australia, where a newly released Roy Morgan survey found that a large majority of respondents were not persuaded by the couple's recent four-day visit, underscoring the continuing challenges facing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they seek to rebuild their public image outside the royal institution.
The findings arrive at a sensitive moment for the Sussexes, whose post-royal careers have increasingly relied on public engagement, media projects and international appearances. While the Australia trip generated significant media attention, the polling suggests visibility alone may not be translating into broader public support.
According to Roy Morgan's special Channel Seven SMS Pulse Poll, conducted among 1,767 Australians aged 18 and over on April 18 and 19, awareness of the visit was widespread. Eighty-two percent of respondents said they knew Harry and Meghan had traveled to Australia, but only 19% said the trip improved their opinion of the couple.
Far more striking was the opposite response. The survey found that 81% of those aware of the visit said it did not improve their view of the Sussexes.
The poll also highlighted skepticism about Prince Harry's ongoing efforts to repair relations with the Royal Family. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they did not believe the Australia visit would help him rebuild his relationship with King Charles. Meghan Markle faced similar challenges, with 75% saying the trip did not present a more positive image of the Duchess.
Roy Morgan Chief Executive Michele Levine said the results indicated the couple still faced significant work in improving public perceptions.
The polling results contrast sharply with recent surveys measuring support for senior members of the Royal Family in Britain. A separate YouGov survey found strong approval ratings for Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, reinforcing the growing divide between the popularity of the future king and queen and that of the Sussexes.
According to the YouGov data:
- Catherine, Princess of Wales: 76% positive rating
- Prince William: 73% positive rating
- King Charles III: 63% positive rating
- Prince Harry: 31% positive rating
- Meghan Markle: 26% positive rating
The numbers reflect a broader shift that has emerged since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California. While the couple initially attracted substantial sympathy and media interest following their departure, repeated public disputes with the monarchy, combined with interviews, documentaries and memoir revelations, have divided public opinion on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Australian survey offered another indication of that divide. When asked whether they would welcome Harry and Meghan relocating to Australia, 59% of respondents said they would not, compared with 41% who said they would.
Respondents were more evenly split on another symbolic question. Asked whether Queen Elizabeth II would have approved of the couple's recent Australian visit, 51% answered no, while 49% answered yes.
The polling emerged as Prince William continues to promote a more policy-focused public agenda. In a recent interview, the Prince of Wales said that "change is on my agenda," adding that he wanted "change for the better" and "not too radical a change, but change that needs to happen."
William has also been associated with long-term plans involving the Duchy of Cornwall, including proposals to sell portions of the estate and invest hundreds of millions of pounds into housing, environmental initiatives and local community projects. The duchy, which spans roughly 128,000 acres, generates more than £20 million annually in private income for the heir to the throne.
