Prince Harry's Popularity Declines, Says Former Royal Butler
Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, has voiced his concerns over Prince Harry's life in the US, noting a noticeable shift in public perception of the Duke of Sussex. Harrold, who once served the royal family, shared his candid thoughts during an interview with GB News, pointing out the contradictions in the Sussexes' actions.
"They keep emphasizing their desire for privacy and to be left alone, but then they turn around and participate in documentaries, inviting cameras into their homes. This inconsistency is causing confusion and frustration among people," Harrold remarked.
Despite the criticism, Harrold acknowledged that many royal supporters still hold Prince Harry in high esteem. "A lot of people still have a lot of love for Harry," he said. Reflecting on Harry's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, Harrold admitted, "It's really difficult to pinpoint why and how it's all gone so wrong."
He also recalled the initial optimism surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage, stating, "Initially, I think everybody thought, 'We'll see what happens.' But that's not how things have turned out."
A recent Ipsos survey has provided further insight into public opinion about Prince Harry. The findings revealed that only 21% of respondents still consider him primarily a member of the royal family, while 40% view him more as a celebrity. Another 20% see him as both a royal and a celebrity.
The survey also highlighted a growing negativity toward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Approximately 43% of respondents expressed unfavorable views of Prince Harry, compared to just 15% for Prince William. Similarly, 54% held a negative opinion of Meghan Markle, while only 12% felt the same about the Princess of Wales.
Since stepping down as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have embarked on various commercial ventures, including Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. However, Prince Harry's visits to the UK have been rare, limited mostly to private trips and his recent legal battle with the publisher of *The Sun*, which was settled in January.
As public sentiment continues to evolve, the couple's efforts to balance privacy with public engagements remain under scrutiny, leaving many to wonder about their future trajectory.
