Meghan Markle’s popularity in the U.S. is on the rise, with exclusive polling for Newsweek showing that she is liked by 36 percent of adults and disliked by 24 percent, giving her a net approval rating of plus 12. This marks a significant increase compared to previous polls, where she was viewed favorably by just 31 percent. Despite being an American citizen, the duchess has lagged behind other members of the royal family in U.S. opinion polls, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry. However, her recent popularity boost comes as she prepares to launch her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, representing a new direction in her American career.
The polling bump for Meghan is timely as she transitions into this new chapter, following mixed results from her initial ventures into TV producing and podcasting. While her Netflix children’s animation, Pearl, was canceled before completion and a Spotify podcast series collapsed, the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan was commercially successful despite criticism. The duchess is now as popular in America as King Charles III, with both receiving a net approval rating of plus 12. Princess Kate remains America’s favorite royal, with a net approval rating of plus 32, despite a slight drop since February. Prince William and Prince Harry also enjoy favorable opinions in the U.S., with both experiencing small decreases in their approval ratings since the previous polling.
The U.S. saw speculation about Princess Kate’s health in late February and March, leading to the announcement of her cancer diagnosis on March 22. This event may have impacted public perceptions of the royal family, although Kate still maintains high approval ratings. The exclusive poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton on behalf of Newsweek surveyed 1,500 U.S. eligible voters on May 1 to determine public attitudes towards the British royals. Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and uncovering connections to find common ground among diverse perspectives. Chief royal correspondent Jack Royston provides updates on the royal family and invites readers to submit questions to royals@newsweek.com for experienced royal correspondents to address.
As Meghan Markle prepares to launch her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, her increasing popularity in the U.S. highlights a shift in public opinion towards the duchess. Despite facing challenges in her previous ventures, Meghan’s new direction presents an opportunity for success as she resonates with American audiences. The royal family, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry, continues to capture the attention of the American public, with fluctuating approval ratings reflecting changing perceptions and events within the family. Newsweek’s commitment to exploring uncommon knowledge and fostering connections aims to bridge diverse viewpoints in the pursuit of common ground among readers.
