A recent poll has delivered a fresh blow to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as their popularity takes a nosedive.
The couple, known as the Sussexes, have faced declining favorability over the years, but the numbers have worsened following the passing of the late Queen in September 2022.
Ipsos conducted a new survey while King Charles and Princess of Wales were recovering in the hospital from health scares last month, revealing a significant drop in the public’s perception of Harry and Meghan.
Nearly half, 47%, of respondents expressed an unfavorable opinion of Harry, marking a notable decline.
In contrast, only 23% of those surveyed hold a positive view of Harry, indicating a 7% decrease compared to the previous poll in 2023.
Similarly, Meghan’s popularity has also taken a hit, with 54% of respondents expressing an unfavorable opinion of her.
Merely 18% of those polled reported a positive perception of Meghan, showcasing a 5% drop.
This marks Meghan’s lowest rating in the past five years, with her favorability plummeting steadily since 2018.
On the other hand, Prince William emerges as the most popular royal in the latest Ipsos poll.
William’s standing remains unchanged since last July, with 62% of respondents viewing him positively as the heir to the throne.
His wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, follows closely behind with a 61% positive rating.
According to a royal expert, the rift between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Prince William and Catherine seems irreparable, as the latter pair has firmly closed the door on any reconciliation with the Sussexes.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe believes that Prince Harry is now attempting to mend fences within his family, especially following the recent health scares involving King Charles and Princess Catherine.
Larcombe suggests that Harry may be inclined to rebuild bridges, potentially paving the way for healing in the new year.
However, ongoing tensions between Meghan and Kate remain a significant obstacle, as animosity persists on both sides, further complicating efforts to mend relationships.
Following the hospitalizations of Catherine and King Charles, reports emerged that the Sussexes reached out to express their concern and well-wishes.
Despite these gestures, it appears that the Prince and Princess of Wales have closed the chapter on any future interactions with Harry and Meghan.
A source revealed that while Charles remains supportive of his son and harbors hope for reconciliation in the future, William and Kate have firmly distanced themselves from any possibility of reconciliation with the Sussexes.