Meghan Markle's popularity in the UK has taken a serious nosedive, dropping to such an extent that she now ranks behind Princess Alexandra, a royal figure so obscure that only 56% of the UK even know who she is. To put this in perspective, Princess Alexandra is known to just over half the population, while Meghan is marginally more recognizable at 99%. But being well-known doesn’t necessarily mean you’re liked, as Meghan now enjoys the support of only 23% of the population, just behind Princess Alexandra’s 25%.
Meghan, once the dazzling American newcomer who captivated the British public with her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, was once seen as the shining star of the royal family. However, the fairy tale quickly turned into something more akin to a soap opera. In 2020, Meghan and Harry decided to step back from their royal duties, citing irreconcilable differences with the royal family and media hostility. Despite this, the media frenzy didn’t die down; in fact, it intensified, particularly following their controversial Oprah interview in 2021 and Harry’s memoir in 2023. What was meant to be an attempt at independence quickly became a PR disaster, leading to a sharp decline in Meghan’s popularity.
In the most recent polling data, Meghan now ranks 17th among the most popular royals in the UK, a stark fall from her previous A-list status. To put this in perspective, Meghan is now less popular than Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who, while not exactly Instagram influencers, still manage to pull ahead of Meghan in popularity. The late Queen Elizabeth, despite passing away two years ago, still manages to top the royal popularity list with 77% approval, while Meghan can't even break into the top 10.
What’s even more telling is the number of people who actively dislike Meghan. A staggering 57% of Brits view her unfavorably, a remarkable feat considering she’s not even the most reviled royal—Prince Andrew holds that title with 62% disapproval. Still, being disliked by more than half the population hardly screams "royal material."
Meghan’s standing has often been compared to that of other royal women, particularly Princess Catherine and Princess Diana. While Catherine took the time to learn her royal role and cultivate genuine affection from the public, Meghan’s approach seems more focused on seeking validation, often at the expense of others. Diana, the beloved "People’s Princess," spent years cultivating her iconic status because she was real. Diana didn’t need a scripted narrative or fake victimhood; she simply cared, and that resonated with the public. Meghan, on the other hand, often appears more interested in optics and self-promotion, with less genuine warmth toward the public.
As the surveys show, Meghan and Harry have alienated themselves from large swaths of the British public, and their efforts to build a brand around their royal exit have largely failed. Meghan’s ranking might still be higher than that of less-public figures like Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones or the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, but those royals aren’t actively seeking attention. Meghan, however, has done everything she can to stay in the spotlight—even if it’s for all the wrong reasons.
So, where does Meghan go from here? Royal commentator Jack Royston, a steadfast supporter of the Sussexes, may hold out hope for a Meghan resurgence, but the British public seems to have made up its mind. Meghan, once a royal sensation, now ranks somewhere between irrelevant and unbearable. When she’s inevitably bumped further down the list, perhaps below Wallis Simpson, her status as a member of the royal family may finally be put to rest for good.
