Kate Middleton is no longer the most popular member of the Royal Family, while Meghan Markle benefits from Prince Andrew’s bad reputation

Recent polling by YouGov has revealed notable shifts in public opinion regarding members of the British Royal Family, with some surprising results as Kate Middleton finds herself pipped to top spot.  Contrary to widespread expectations, the Princess of Wales is no longer the most favored royal figure in Britain. Instead, her husband, Prince William, now holds the highest approval rating.

Some 74% of Britons expressing a positive view of the future king, who will ascend upon the death of the fourth-placed King Charles III (59%) when the 76-year-old eventually passes away.  Middleton follows closely behind at 71%, with Princess Anne ranking third at 70% whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Prince Andrew remains the most unpopular member of the royal household, with a staggering 87% of Britons holding an unfavorable opinion.

His public image has suffered significantly since his widely criticized 2019 Newsnight interview regarding his affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre, and there has been little change in public sentiment since.

Prince Harry and Meghan remain strongly disliked by British public

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to experience low favorability ratings, though they have benefited indirectly from Prince Andrew’s damaged reputation as Harry’s positive rating stands at just 28%, while Meghan’s approval is even lower, at 20%.  This places them near the bottom in public perception, alongside Andrew for moments such as the couple’s controversial decision to step back from official royal duties in early 2020.

It is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that fractured public support. Many perceived this move as a breach of royal responsibility, and some commentators even linked it to the decline in health of Queen Elizabeth II, prior to her death in 2022.  Moreover, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s public disclosures about internal family disputes, including allegations of racism and insufficient support within the institution, have further polarized opinions.

While some members of the public empathize with their experiences, others accuse them of exploiting personal grievances for public attention, and their engagement in lucrative media deals and high-profile appearances has also sparked criticism.  Claims that they prioritize financial gain and celebrity over traditional royal values swirl and media outlets have often portrayed their actions in a negative light, intensifying unfavorable views.

Despite the mixed feelings about individual royals, overall support for the monarchy as an institution remains relatively strong as approximately 62% of Brits hold a positive view of the Royal Family collectively.  A total of 58% endorse the monarchy itself, support that significantly outweighs the roughly 30% of the population who express skepticism or negativity toward the institution.  That’s a good sign for the Royal Family as it aims to navigate the standards of the modern world in an increasingly scrutinized era, prior to Prince William’s rise to the throne before he plans to overhaul the structure.