Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s attacks on the Royal Family in their recent Netflix series have led nearly half of Brits to think Harry should be stripped of his royal title according to a new poll. After their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey last year, the Sussexes made new allegations in the docuseries about mistreatment by other royals, further deepening the rift between them and the Palace.
The couple spent more time with the royals this year than they have in the previous 24 months, with three visits to the UK, and they also introduced their daughter Lilibet to her great-grandmother and royal grandparents. But just weeks later, Harry accused his brother of "screaming and shouting" at him while Meghan described the royals as acting formal even behind-the-scenes. They portrayed the royals as tone-deaf and uncaring about their emotional states.
Now a YouGov poll for The Times has found that 44% of respondents feel Harry should have his royal title removed, compared to 32% who said no.
Earlier this month Conservative MP Bob Seely said he planned to bring forward proposed legislation that could see it happen. The Isle of Wight MP suggested he could bring forward a short private members’ bill in 2023 that, if passed, would see MPs vote on a resolution that could give the Privy Council the power to downgrade the couple’s royal status.
Mr Seely said: “As well as trashing his family and monetising his misery for public consumption, he is also attacking some important institutions in this country.”
The YouGov poll revealed that 23% of those replying felt worse of Harry and Meghan after seeing the Netflix series while 7% said they had a better impression. And 44% of respondents had more sympathy for William and Catherine, with 17% siding with the Sussexes.
Tom Quinn, the author of Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir from Queen Mary to Meghan Markle told The Times: “I’m only surprised that the documentary didn’t do more damage to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I found it painful to watch – it made you realise they are lost souls. It is extraordinary that they feel this will somehow improve things for them."
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