Prince Harry Faces New Setback as Britons No Longer See Him as Royal
Prince Harry, who is currently in Canada celebrating the 2025 Invictus Games with injured military veterans, has received disappointing news from the UK. Despite his efforts to connect with the public, a new survey reveals that Britons no longer view him as a member of the royal family but rather as a celebrity.
According to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos, the majority of Britons now see Harry as more of a celebrity than a royal. The survey, which sampled 1,091 people, found that only 21% of respondents still consider Harry a royal family member. In contrast, 40% view him as a celebrity, while 20% see him as both.
The remaining respondents were either unsure or didn’t consider Harry to be either a royal or a celebrity. This shift in perception comes as Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, continue to distance themselves from the royal family, often referred to as "the Firm."
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working members of the royal family in early 2020, relinquishing their Royal Highness titles. Since then, the couple has faced a series of challenges, including losing many of their UK supporters and becoming estranged from their royal relatives.
Their move to the United States and subsequent high-profile interviews, documentaries, and public critiques of the royal family have further alienated them from their British roots. Harry’s decision to share intimate details about his life in his memoir, *Spare*, and the couple’s Netflix docuseries have only deepened the divide.
The poll results highlight a significant shift in how Harry is perceived in his home country. Once a beloved member of the royal family, he is now seen as a celebrity figure, more aligned with Hollywood than Buckingham Palace. This change in public opinion is a stark contrast to his previous role as a senior royal, where he was celebrated for his military service and charitable work, particularly with the Invictus Games.
The Invictus Games, founded by Harry in 2014, was designed to honor and support wounded, injured, and sick service members. While the event remains a cornerstone of his legacy, it seems that his personal brand has overshadowed his royal identity in the eyes of many Britons.
As Harry continues to focus on the Invictus Games and his life in the U.S., the question remains: Can he rebuild his connection with the British public? Or has the damage to his royal identity become irreversible?
For now, the couple’s estrangement from the royal family and their ongoing critiques of the institution have left them in a precarious position. While they have found success and support in the U.S., their relationship with the UK remains strained.
The latest poll serves as a reminder that, despite their global fame, Harry and Meghan’s actions continue to shape how they are perceived—not just as individuals, but as public figures with a complex legacy.
--- Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Invictus Games 2025, royal family, Ipsos poll, British public, celebrity status, Duke of Sussex, UK perception, royal estrangement.
