Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have experienced significant declines in their popularity in the United States. The couple's critical comments about the royal family and high-profile commercial deals have failed to endear them to the American public.
The New York Post reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted to step back from their royal duties and relocate to the United States as they sought to forge a new path independent from the established expectations of the British monarchy.
The couple's decision was not just geographical; it also involved publicly sharing their grievances. In a widely viewed 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and through their Netflix series "Harry & Meghan" and Harry's memoir "Spare," they aired criticisms about their treatment by the royal family.
After the demise of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, critiques about the couple’s decision intensified. Experts like Ingrid Seward noted that many Americans felt the couple had disappointed the late Queen, with Seward stating, "I give a lot of talks to Americans and they all dislike Harry and Meghan... They hate that they let the Queen down."
Attempted ventures into the Hollywood scene have also not panned out as expected for the Sussexes. Harry and Meghan signed high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify to produce content that promised to leverage their unique perspectives and experiences.
However, their company Archewell Audio produced only 12 podcasts for Spotify in over two years, leading to the termination of their $20 million deal.
The content that did make it to production, such as Meghan’s podcast "Archetypes," aimed to discuss and break down the labels holding women back.
Despite the potential for impact, these projects did not resonate as powerfully as anticipated with the audience. Hollywood publicist Jane Owen remarked on their efforts, "Quite frankly, they were given every opportunity to shine in Hollywood... They have done worse than nothing — they have actively destroyed the opportunities they were given."
Jane Owen compared Hollywood dynamics to those of a high school, suggesting that Harry and Meghan have become socially isolated, mirroring the "most unpopular kids in school."
This sentiment has been echoed by other industry insiders such as Stacy Jones, who pointed out that "Harry and Meghan’s clout has taken a hit over the past year," with their loss of the Spotify deal lingering into 2024.
Despite still being able to attract media attention and not having trouble accessing high-end services, the general enthusiasm for the Sussexes in Hollywood has waned. Jones elaborated, "Losing the Spotify deal in 2023 lingered into 2024, and without a major win this year, they’ve struggled to regain their footing."
Interestingly, this cooling of interest has coincided with reports that some Hollywood celebrities prefer to associate with other members of the British royal family, such as Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Former royal butler Paul Burrell highlighted this preference, providing a stark contrast to the Sussexes' experience within the same circles.