Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's popularity in US slumps even further

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity in US slumps even further: Duke’s approval rating drops by three points in a month to -10 while his wife hits – 17 in new poll after they were savaged in South Park episode

• Harry and Meghan have net approval ratings of -10 and -17 respectively, says poll

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity has slumped to an all-time low in the US, where they are now less popular than the disgraced Prince Andrew, a shock poll has found. 

Since December last year, Harry has sunk 48 points and Meghan 40, giving them net approval ratings of -10 and -17 respectively, according to a survey by Redfield & Wilton for Newsweek, conducted on February 19. 

While Andrew is still viewed negatively following his New York civil trial against his sex accuser Virginia Roberts – which he settled out of court – his net approval rating sits at -2, with 26 per cent of Americans saying they like him compared to 28 per cent who do not. 

The Sussexes’ nosediving popularity across the pond comes just days after they were royally mocked by South Park – a satirical cartoon famed for having its finger on the pulse of American culture. 

The couple were lampooned in an episode aired on February 15 – four days before the latest poll – which was entitled The Worldwide Privacy Tour and depicted them embarking on a publicity blitz to promote the Prince’s new book, Waaagh.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity has slumped to an all-time low in the US, where they are now even less popular than disgraced royal Prince Andrew, a shock poll has found

READ MORE:  Prince Harry and Meghan break their silence on THAT South Park episode to blast ‘boring and baseless’ reports that they’re planning to sue – but DON’T address claims Duchess is ‘upset and overwhelmed’

After the show aired, reports surfaced suggesting that 41-year-old Meghan had been left ‘upset and overwhelmed’ by the couple’s less-than-flattering portrayal – while one royal commentator claimed that the Sussexes’ lawyers were ‘casting an eye’ over the animated series. 

However, a spokesperson for Harry, 38, and his wife slammed speculation that they are planning to sue South Park creators, blasting the rumors as ‘boring and baseless’ in a statement given to Newsweek. 

But the latest survey suggests the increased attention and scrutiny of the Sussexes, brought on by their six-part Netflix docuseries, Harry’s memoir Spare and a spate of bombshell interviews, has only turned larger portions of the public against them. 

This week’s poll shows that 18 per cent of US respondents felt neither favorably nor unfavorably about Harry, while 7 percent replied ‘don’t know’. Some 20 percent were on the fence about Meghan and just 8 percent did not have an opinion.

The figures mean that only 25 per cent of respondents expressed no strong feelings either way about the duke, and 28 percent about the duchess.

However when it came to Andrew, who has been keeping a low profile, some 32 per cent of respondents had a ‘neither favorable nor unfavorable’ view, while another 13 per cent answered ‘don’t know’ – meaning a total of 45 per cent did not have a strong opinion either way, perhaps making him a less polarising figure. 

Respondents were also asked if they felt positively or negatively towards Harry, Meghan and Andrew, with the results likely making sober reading for the couple. 

Some 32 per cent felt positively about Harry, compared to 27 per cent about Meghan and 26 per cent about Andrew. 

However, 44 per cent held a negative sentiment towards Meghan, compared with 42 per cent for Harry and just 28 per cent for Andrew. 

It comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are both said to be ‘weighing up’ whether or not to fly over to Britain for the King’s Coronation on May 6, according to The Spectator.

Friends of the couple said this week they are ‘in limbo’ and considering the ‘million different variables’ impacting their decision.

And royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said fears over security and a ‘seismic drop’ in popularity since the publication of Harry’s memoir mean they could stay at home.

Harry wants to be by his father’s side on ‘pretty much the most important day’ and hopes to salvage his strained relationship with the Royal Family, sources close to the Duke told The Daily Telegraph.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are both said to be ‘weighing up’ whether or not to fly over for the ceremony on May 6

The King’s Coronation is due to held in London on May 6

The insiders claim it’s a ‘complicated’ decision because the couple may be accused of ‘snubbing’ the family by not attending but also risk ‘being booed or labelled hypocrites.’ 

The couple’s friends say they will not make a decision about attending the Coronation until a formal invitation arrives at their home in California.

They will then decide if they will go to the historic event together or if Harry, 38, would attend without Meghan. It is also possible that neither makes an appearance.

If either Harry or Meghan, 41, visit the UK for the ceremony, it is understood that their visit would be ‘brief.’

‘They do not have any insight,’ a friend said of their looming decision. ‘They’ll cross that bridge when they come to it.’

It comes as a YouGov poll this week showed that more than half of the British public believe Harry should have protection from the state – but 37 per cent through he should pay for it himself.

More than a quarter of people (28 per cent) thought he shouldn’t get police protection at all, as his judicial review case rumbles on. 

The prince, who moved to California with wife Meghan Markle after stepping down from royal duties in 2020, launched a legal battle after his right to guards was withdrawn. 

His legal case against the Home Office over the police security for his family has already cost the state nearly £300,000, a freedom of information request has revealed. 

Prince Harry has argued that it would be unsafe to bring his children to visit Britain without guaranteed police protection (pictures in Germany in September)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been invited to the Coronation but the couple have not publicly announced whether they plan to attend (file image from November 2019)

Read more: A.N.Wilson: Forget King Charles’s family, the Royals’ life of luxury is at OUR expense

The Duke insists his family requires round-the-clock protection, even though royal security is automatically in place for formal events as well as at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that the court case – which has been ongoing since autumn 2021 – has already cost the UK Government £296,882 to defend.

The Duke insists his family requires round-the-clock protection, even though royal security is automatically in place for formal events as well as at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. 

John O’Connor, a former commander at Scotland Yard, told The Sun: ‘To expect protection provided by the state is arrogant and irrational. 

‘It is only vanity anyway. He only wants protection because he thinks his importance is downgraded without it.’

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