Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Diminishing Star Power
Experts in royal affairs suggest that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity is noticeably declining, nearly five years after they exited the royal family.
A source cited in People magazine mentioned that the couple is still figuring out how to manage public scrutiny. While Meghan seems to brush off the criticism, referring to it as “just noise,” Prince Harry appears to take it more to heart and is particularly protective of his wife.
“Their star power is fading,” stated Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” in a conversation with FOX News Digital.
“They might find that frustrating because they’ve been riding high on the initial rush of public adoration,” she added. “The confidence they gained from leaving royal duties was bolstered by their perceived popularity. They will keep trying to stay in the spotlight, mainly out of financial necessity, but Meghan’s commercial efforts often clash with Harry’s hope to mend fences with the royal family.”
Schofield cautioned that, “As long as she continues to leverage her title for business ventures, the royals will keep their distance. And, as that distance persists, Harry’s status will likely continue to slip.”
She also expressed that Meghan’s claim of being unfazed by criticism seemed “disingenuous.” According to Schofield, “She usually responds, even if implicitly, to negative feedback during interviews. Meghan certainly reacts strongly to gossip or unfavorable portrayals, as she demonstrated during her chat with Oprah.”
“Harry, on the other hand, embodies the idea of ‘never complain, never explain,'” Schofield continued. “The contrast is striking—Meghan doesn’t seek out negative comments, whereas Harry actively looks for them, which affects him. They both advocate against social media, but they still engage with what’s said about them online.”
This couple, once universally admired, has faced some challenges this year.
Reports surfaced that they asked for images from Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebrations to be deleted from social media platforms. Officials stated that Harry and Meghan didn’t want to appear to flaunt their Hollywood connections, especially given their history with the monarchy.
Shortly afterward, Meghan responded to claims that she received an expensive designer dress for a photo shoot, calling those allegations “patently false” and “highly defamatory.” This came after reviewers criticized her Harper’s Bazaar feature for suggesting she used her title inappropriately in a private setting.
Yet, a source told People magazine that the couple’s bond remains strong, unaffected by outside criticism. “They never let it cause issues between them,” the source said. “They work seamlessly together and are always a united front.”
However, negative feedback continues. Meghan’s recent holiday special on Netflix was slammed by critics, who labeled it “disgusting” and “tone-deaf.” The same day, Harry made a surprise appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where he took jabs at President Donald Trump—a move that came shortly after Trump was hosted by King Charles III.
Earlier this year, Harry and other trustees stepped down from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded, following some tension with its chair.
Long-standing concerns regarding Meghan’s conduct have resurfaced, yet some have spoken favorably of her, describing her as “a lovely and genuine person.”
“They seem to avoid tackling the larger issues,” Schofield expressed. “They only adopt the ‘never complain, never explain’ philosophy when it suits their narrative.”
Since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020, citing media harassment and a lack of support, Harry and Meghan have voiced their grievances in numerous interviews. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” released in 2023, detailed his struggles with royal life.
Sources indicated that while Meghan is looking ahead, Harry remains “emotionally tied to royal traditions.” King Charles apparently isn’t inclined to initiate reconciliation, and plans for any outreach from Prince William seem unlikely. Even Queen Camilla, who faced criticism over Harry’s revelations, appears unwilling to address the subject.
Meghan has been concentrating on her business initiatives, having launched her lifestyle brand, “As Ever,” and a streaming series, “With Love, Meghan.” A source mentioned that she hopes Harry can move beyond his past to focus more on their shared life.
As Meghan builds her brand, it seems that attention on the Sussexes is dwindling. British royal expert Hilary Fordwich remarked, “Either they’re not recognizing their declining star power or are simply trying to project a facade of comfort to cope with lost interest. Reports indicate their filming was done a while back.”
Fordwich added, “Their reactions to feedback vary widely. Meghan usually diminishes criticism, while Harry takes it deeply to heart. They both benefit from maintaining the appearance of unity and happiness, especially since their commercial ventures rely on that image.”
Recently, Harry met with his father, sparking hopes among royal watchers of a possible reconciliation, even as sources had previously indicated that the ailing monarch has not responded to Harry’s attempts to reach out.
Looking ahead, Schofield speculated, “I think Meghan will keep collaborating with high-profile celebrities, potentially launching new beauty products. The two will probably lean on each other more than ever, given they’ve isolated themselves from numerous others.”
Schofield also suggested that Meghan acts as the primary decision-maker, noting, “She’s very independent… and has become central to Harry’s life. What she wants, she tends to get.”
Currently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside in the affluent community of Montecito with their two young children.
