Their struggle with maintaining a positive public image has been highlighted by royal expert Daniela Elser in her column for News.com.au.
Elser points out that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were once considered highly influential figures, have now become frequent targets for jokes in comedy routines.
According to Elser, their downward trajectory began after their "most devastating royal insider interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021," where they shared their side of the story. Elser remarks that in the years prior, particularly in 2020 and 2021, things seemed to be going well for the Sussexes.
They secured lucrative deals with major companies like Netflix, Spotify, BetterUp, Ethic, and Penguin Random House. These deals portrayed them as bold truth-tellers, exposing the shortcomings of the royal family.
However, as time went on, inconsistencies in their narratives began to emerge, revealing that they were essentially repeating the same script with each public appearance. The impact of their revelations diminished with each repetition, gradually losing shock value and public interest.
Consequently, their standing in the eyes of the public plummeted. Elser notes that it is intriguing how Harry and Meghan went from being highly influential individuals to becoming the subject of jokes in just three years.
Elser emphasizes that it's not just the upper class or exclusive club members who find amusement in their expense. Prominent comedians such as Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, Jimmy Kimmel, and Chelsea Handler have all joined in making fun of the couple. The height of ridicule was reached when the animated show South Park dedicated an entire episode to ruthlessly mocking them.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's popularity has taken a hit, as they have become the butt of jokes by comedians. Their decline in public favor can be attributed to their repetitive script and diminishing impact, leading to a significant loss of influence in a relatively short period of time. Their situation has provided fodder for both high-profile figures and comedians, resulting in widespread mockery of the couple.
