How has public opinion of Harry and Meghan changed since their Netflix documentary? A short thread on the latest polling #HarryandMeghan
In the aftermath of the documentary's release, my own polling has Harry & Meghan's "net rating" at -26
Only 22% of Brits now have a positive view of the couple, 48% negative, 30% prefer not to say/don't know
Only 22% of Brits now have a positive view of the couple, 48% negative, 30% prefer not to say/don't know
If you want a reference point, this puts them broadly where the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was at the time of the 2019 general election
If you take a longer-view, as YouGov do, then Harry & Meghan's ratings have steadily declined over time
Harry is down from -13 since before the documentary to -26. Meghan is down from -32 to -39.
Their public image, in Britain, has deteriorated sharply since 2020
Harry is down from -13 since before the documentary to -26. Meghan is down from -32 to -39.
Their public image, in Britain, has deteriorated sharply since 2020
Such is their decline that whereas they were once one of the most popular royal couples, more popular than Charles & Camilla, today they are among the most unpopular. Only Prince Andrew is more unpopular
There is little evidence the documentary has helped. Only 4% say the documentary has made them think more positively about Harry & Meghan, while 14% say it has made them think more negatively
Amid the documentary, Brits were also asked, by People Polling, which royal couple "best represent the values of Britain". More than half, 54%, chose Will & Kate. Just 7% said Harry & Meghan. Will & Kate are well ahead among every group -the young, Labour, Remain, London, etc.
Another pollster, JL Partners, asked Brits amid the documentary whether they felt the couple should be stripped of their royal titles. 54% thought they should, 23% thought they should not.
If you believe, as some have written, that the split in the House of Windsor reflects a deeper split in the country between the liberal progressive Harry & Meghan and the more traditionalist Will & Kate, then it's worth noting this contest is actually not close at all
Will and Kate's net ratings are +62 and +57 respectively while Harry & Meghan are on -26 and -39. Neither couple are running for election anytime soon but perhaps this marked difference tells us something about how the British see the royals and, indeed, see themselves
It is also suggested that while Harry & Meghan might now be very unpopular in the UK, their "brand" is much stronger in the US. To what extent is this true?
Americans were recently asked, by YouGov US, how much sympathy they have for the couple
31% said "a lot" or "a fair amount"
48% said "not very much", "none at all"
31% said "a lot" or "a fair amount"
48% said "not very much", "none at all"
Americans were also recently asked how they felt about different members of the royals. Net ratings:
Queen +47
Kate +37
William +31
Harry +18
Meghan +9
Charles -10
Camilla -13
Andrew -20
Queen +47
Kate +37
William +31
Harry +18
Meghan +9
Charles -10
Camilla -13
Andrew -20
There is certainly some evidence to suggest their image is a little more positive in the US though, even there, their brand is not quite as strong as you might think
What is clear is that in the UK their image is clearly very damaged and perhaps, some might say, beyond repair
What is clear is that in the UK their image is clearly very damaged and perhaps, some might say, beyond repair
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