As per Edward Coram James, the CEO of PR agency Go Up, who spoke to Newsweek, the ongoing legal cases of the Duke of Sussex could backfire due to his unpopular status in the UK.
James explained that the phone hacking case involving Harry may generate sympathy for the press because of his deep unpopularity in the country.
According to data collected by YouGov in April, Prince Harry is disliked by 63 percent of Brits and liked by only 29 percent, resulting in a net approval rating of minus 34. This significant level of disapproval suggests that if the British public mounts a strong backlash against the UK press, politicians may feel compelled to intervene. However, James emphasized that Harry is not the ideal advocate for media reform due to his lack of popularity in the UK.
The CEO further pointed out that Harry's current approach of "attacking the press" is not well-received by many who wish to see him and Meghan fail. By pursuing this course of action, he risks undermining the important message and cause he seeks to champion, which revolves around protecting privacy and establishing a better balance between the public's right to know and an individual's right to a private life.
James argued that to change public perception, Harry would need to garner the support of the British public, but he has already lost them. Paradoxically, his actions might even elicit sympathy for the UK press, despite the moral implications and the fact that it is not necessarily the right outcome. The unfortunate reality is that a significant portion of the UK population tends to take the opposing side whenever Harry engages in such endeavors.
In summary, Prince Harry's ongoing legal battles against the British press could potentially have adverse consequences in his home country due to his already low popularity. The negative sentiment toward him may inadvertently generate sympathy for the press, thereby hampering the message he aims to convey and the cause he supports.
