Opinions on Meghan Markle are divided. Critics point to her conflicts with the royal family and public statements, while supporters say much of the criticism is driven by media bias and racism.
Context
Public opinion of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is divided. A 2023 YouGov poll found her net favorability negative in Britain and mixed in the US.
Reasons critics give
- The 2021 Oprah interview and claims about the royal family.
- Their move to the US in 2020.
- Media coverage and commentary.
Defenders say
Some criticism is tied to race and tabloid coverage.
Bottom line
Views differ and are shaped by media and politics.
Background facts
Meghan Markle, born Rachel Meghan Markle in 1981 in Los Angeles, was an actress best known for the TV series Suits (2011 to 2018). She married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, and became the Duchess of Sussex. In January 2020, the couple announced they would step back as senior working members of the royal family and later moved to California.
Key events behind public debate
- The 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which the couple made claims about racism and a lack of support within the royal household. Buckingham Palace said the issues raised were concerning and would be addressed privately.
- The documentary series Harry & Meghan on Netflix (December 2022).
- Prince Harry’s memoir Spare (January 2023), which became one of the fastest selling nonfiction books in history.
- Legal cases involving British tabloids. In 2021, Meghan won a privacy case against the Mail on Sunday. Prince Harry won a phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers in 2023.
Polling
Surveys by YouGov in the UK have repeatedly shown that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have net negative favorability among British adults, with more negative views among older respondents and more positive views among younger respondents. In the US, ratings have been less negative.
Media coverage
Some researchers, commentators and members of the public have argued that parts of the press coverage showed racial bias, and the Palace said it took the concerns seriously. Critics of the couple say the coverage reflects reactions to public statements and business decisions. Both views exist.
Cultural factors
The role of the monarchy, tabloid press culture and social media amplification of controversy influence perceptions of public figures.
Context
Opinions about any public figure vary widely, and strong online hostility toward individuals, especially women, can include harassment. Most reputable fact checkers advise relying on primary sources and avoiding unverified rumors.
Polling and public debate
Public opinion on Meghan Markle has been divided. Polls in the UK by YouGov have shown net negative favorability among older respondents and more positive views among younger ones, while US views have been more favorable overall. After the Oprah Winfrey interview in March 2021 and the Netflix series in 2022, opinion polarized further.
Media and context
Press coverage in British tabloids has been the subject of legal action. In 2021 a UK court ruled that the Mail on Sunday had breached her privacy by publishing a private letter. Some criticism concerns royal protocol and family disputes, while others argue that racism and sexism shaped coverage, a claim the couple made in 2021. Opinions differ, and individual feelings about public figures often reflect media habits.
Based on data from YouGov and UK court records
