Prince Harry’s public standing has undergone a striking transformation, with the Duke of Sussex reportedly dropping from one of the Royal Family’s best-liked figures to almost the bottom of the popularity table.
But according to HELLO! senior editor Jack Malvern, there is no single event that explains the scale of the fall.
Speaking to royal editor Emily Nash on the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, Malvern examined polling data that tracked Harry’s reputation over the past decade. He said the Duke’s declining approval was shaped by several key moments, rather than one decisive rupture.
In 2017, Harry’s image could hardly have been more different. A senior working royal at the time, he was widely viewed as the warm, relatable and playful younger brother of Prince William. Malvern recalled that the two princes were joint favourites among royal supporters.
Harry’s military background, charitable work and dedication to the Invictus Games had also helped him build a reputation as a royal with an easy connection to the public.
Today, however, Malvern said Harry sits close to the bottom of the rankings, ahead only of Meghan Markle and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He described the reversal as “catastrophic.”
The Duke’s decision to speak openly about his experience within the Royal Family played a major part in the shift. His 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey brought serious claims about the monarchy to a global audience, prompting an intense and lasting reaction in Britain.
That was followed by more revelations in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, as well as the January 2023 release of his memoir, Spare.
Malvern said both the Oprah interview and the book had a “big effect” on Harry’s popularity, especially among people who objected to his portrayal of the Royal Family.
For Harry, the public disclosures were an opportunity to explain his personal experiences and offer his perspective on the breakdown of his relationship with the institution. Yet the image of the popular, down-to-earth prince has increasingly been overshadowed by his continuing public conflict with the monarchy.
