America’s infatuation with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appears to have taken a rough road following the release of their Netflix documentaries and the Duke of Sussex’s bombshell memoir Spare.
They’ve seen their popularity ratings plummet in just over a month and are reportedly getting fewer invites to glamorous events as A-listers worry they’ll be the center of attention.
The couple, previously hugely popular in the US, sank in the polls after Prince Harry launched a new assault on the royal family and revealed a host of intimate details, such as how he lost his virginity to Sasha Walpole.
Prior to publication, Harry had a +38 favorable rating according to a Dec. 5 poll of 2,000 US voters. That fell to -7 by Jan. 16, pollsters Redfield & Wilton found – while Meghan Markle fell to -13, compared to +23 on Dec. 5.
Meanwhile, the couple are seeing a dip in invitations to big events amid rumors that some of their closest celebrity friendships have faltered.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity ratings have plummeted in America since the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, their allegations against the royal family, including that a family member had made racist comments about their unborn child, shocked the world.
But although Ms Winfrey has been counted as a close friend for some time, there are concerns in Hollywood that the relationship between the neighbors is strained, The Times reports.
That speculation was fueled during a party celebrating beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills’ 25th anniversary, which also doubled as Ms Winfrey’s unofficial 69th birthday party in Los Angeles last week.
Stars including Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara and Jennifer Lopez were all in attendance, but the Duchess of Sussex was noticeably absent, leading some to conclude she had been snubbed by Ms Winfrey.
However, others pointed out that this was not an official party for the singer, but coincidentally coincided with her birthday. It was the beauty brand and not the singer that would have sent out the invites.
(LR) Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Vergara at the Anastasia Beverly Hills 25th Anniversary Event
Some speculated that the fact that Meghan Markle wasn’t at the party indicated that her friendship with Oprah was on the rocks – but others pointed out that it wasn’t her official birthday party
Of more concern for the couple could be speculation from royal commentators that the couple will not be booked for high-profile events based on their profile.
American royal expert Kinsey Schofield told the Times: “I work with several publicists in LA and they say that Harry and Meghan are not being considered for high-profile events because they fear all eyes will be on them and.” that will keep them from the cause.
“I think people are starting to be hesitant to connect with them because they seem like a dramatic couple who are fixated on the negative.”
This focus on the “negative” may need to change for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle if they are to change their throwback in the polls, with revelations on the part of Spare seen as a big factor in a drop in support for the whole royal family, in the US and UK.
Spare became the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time on its release day earlier this month, topping sales charts around the world — including in the US, according to the publisher.
Ellen DeGeneres is surprised by wife Portia’s birthday bash with an offer to renew her vows – officiated by Kris Jenner
At private events, Prince Harry and Meghan still clash with Hollywood’s A-listers
The Sussexes have had a steady presence in US media since moving to the country, starting with their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States in 2020 and are two of Montecito’s most notable residents. Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Rob Lowe and Larry David also live in the area
The Duke of Sussex revealed more personal details about his life during the breakfast show interview with former NFL player Michael Strahan on January 9
In it, Harry made explosive revelations and accusations about members of his family, most notably his brother Prince William, which rocked the House of Windsor.
It is certain that the focus on the couple ahead of the coronation of King Charles III in a matter of months will remain on Prince Harry’s allegations against his family and whether the couple will attend the event.
Though her celebrity friends might want to avoid that focus, they still seem interested in helping out with private events.
Just days after the Anastasia party, the pair were spotted by observant royal fans in a video shot at Ellen DeGeneres’ home in Montecito.
Portia de Rossi surprised Ms Ellen with an offer to renew her vows, the moment being filmed and later posted online. Among the cheering crowd at the party were Harry and Meghan.
It seems the couple are still loved by some of Hollywood’s greats, even if their public appearances have been a bit more sporadic in recent months.
Harry has been in a media frenzy since the book came out, taking part in interviews with Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes, Michael Strahan for Good Morning America and Stephen Colbert for his late-night comedy show.
Prince Harry’s book, Spare, was released on January 10 and quickly became one of the best-selling non-fiction books of all time, but the impact of the Duke’s book appears to be still lingering
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s approval ratings have dropped dramatically since early December
In the memoir, Prince Harry claimed his brother pushed him into a dog bowl during the heated row after he started dating Meghan, leaving him in “pieces”.
He claimed he could tell Prince William he wanted to hit him back, but he refused to do so. He added his brother later apologized.
He also revealed personal details of how he lost his virginity to an elderly woman in a field behind a pub – whose identity was revealed today by the Mail on Sunday to be digger driver and former royal groomer Sasha Walpole.
She was 18 at the time and had a “five-minute” rendezvous with Prince Harry, 16, behind a Wiltshire pub that ended a two-and-a-half-year friendship between the two.
Harry has been criticized for sharing private conversations in the book and intimate details about his family members.
However, the prince claimed there are many other details he doesn’t want to reveal because “I just don’t want the world to know,” adding that his family would “never forgive” him if he did .
Harry has since urged his family members to speak to him and apologize to Meghan.
Despite everything, it has been reported that the king would like his beloved son to attend the coronation and that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby could even act as mediator for the couple.
Representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been asked to comment.