Once upon a time in America, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle epitomized a modern fairy tale.
The charming prince and the glamorous actress captured the world’s imagination and could do no wrong.
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And especially in the United States, their story felt like a Hollywood script come to life.
We finally had a real couple we could claim as our own. And they moved here too!
Wow, they really loved us as much as we loved them. However, that was then.
Now, like their trajectory in Britain, Americans’ passion for Harry and Meghan has cooled significantly.
A few days ago we witnessed the latest episode of bad feelings between former HRHs and the USA.
Prince Harry’s nomination for the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards was supposed to be a respectful nod to him creating the Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women.
But the decision to hand him the gong did not sit well in America, a country where gratitude for genuine service runs deep.
The award is named in honor of former NFL player Pat Tillman, who left a lucrative sports career to serve in the U.S. military and ultimately sacrificed his life for his country. It has a deeply symbolic value.
Many Americans criticized the choice, arguing that other members of the veteran community were more deserving and did not have Harry’s privileges.
Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, openly expressed her dismay at Harry’s choice, describing him as a “controversial and divisive individual” and stating that there are “much more suitable” potential recipients.
His comments reflected a broader sentiment among those who believe Harry’s nomination diminishes the value of the award and disrespects Pat Tillman’s legacy.
A petition saying he was an inappropriate recipient attracted more than 75,000 signatures.
Meanwhile, a survey commissioned by Newsweek magazine of 1,500 American adults revealed that 38% thought it was wrong – while just 21% agreed with giving the award to Harry.
He accepted the honor in a glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles, with Meghan by his side.
But while some in the audience gave him a standing ovation, Venus Williams, sister of Meghan’s good friend Serena, remained seated, apparently snubbed.
The episode was a severe blow to the Duke’s reputation.
‘They love to complain’
What a difference four years makes.
When the Sussexes moved to the US in 2020, they were given a warm welcome.
In a country where monarchy and aristocracy are illusory, they had a status that dollars could not buy.
They represented a modern twist on real life, mixing titles with Hollywood star power.
Its initial appeal was undeniable.
High-profile interviews, like the explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, have captivated millions.
While UK viewers may have “cringed” at some of the exaggerated – and often absurd – claims, US audiences were ecstatic.
Americans don’t care about the emotions of their stars. We don’t have the stiff upper lip that you Brits have!
But we also have our limits.
Eventually, the couple’s relentless media presence led to overexposure and even fatigue.
The audience was ecstatic
The release of his six-hour Netflix docuseries in December 2022 initially boosted his popularity, but ultimately received polarized receptions from audiences and critics.
On the Rotten Tomatoes website – which aggregates scores from critics and viewers – the audience satisfaction rate is a meager 19%.
Critics piled in, with Hollywood bible Variety saying, “There’s an air of duty to the entire ‘Harry and Meghan’ enterprise, as if they are honor-bound to keep reciting their personal story until we eventually lose interest.” .
The Wall Street Journal added: “A viewer really needs to be on board the royal soap opera bus to not get bored with Harry and Meghan.”
And then came that book.
Although it was a huge commercial success, Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, with its highly personal and negative revelations about his family, hurt his and Meghan’s popularity on both sides of the pond.
And it led to a sustained decline in positive sentiment toward the couple online and in public opinion polls.
A September 2023 Newsweek poll revealed Meghan’s net approval rating – with 31 percent viewing her favorably and 33 percent unfavorably, an eight-point decline from June 2023.
Prince Harry fared slightly better – 39% liked him and 27% didn’t – marking a six-point drop for him over the same period.
However, a January 2023 YouGov poll showed that while Harry (47 percent favorable) and Meghan (44 percent favorable) still had supporters, there was a significant portion of Americans with unfavorable views (34 and 36 percent). .
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People in the United States found it difficult to accept the demolition of their family – a family we took seriously, especially the late Queen, who was widely loved.
And the incessant crying. Harry and Meghan love to complain.
And in America’s largely optimistic society, that’s a bad look.
While some see the couple’s openness as a courageous stand against institutional rigidity, many others consider it thankless and divisive.
A segment of Americans, especially those of us who respect and admire the monarchy, find these repeated criticisms disrespectful and inappropriate.
Thus the Sussexes’ endless narrative of grievances has alienated many who once admired their outspokenness.
Harry and Meghan’s focus has strayed too far from airing their grievances rather than engaging in constructive, positive activities.
And many Americans came to view the pair’s complaints as implausible and inappropriate.
This was highlighted by Meghan’s allegations about racism in the Royal Family, which comedian Chris Rock hilariously dissected in his Netflix special Selective Outrage in March 2023.
Rock’s comment tapped into the growing sentiment that the couple’s grievances may be more dramatic than substantive.
He joked: “Like, who is this Meghan Markle girl? She seems like a nice lady-just complaining. . . . Some of the shit she went through wasn’t racism. It was just some in-law shit.
‘Hard light of reality’
The satirical cartoon South Park also weighed in on the couple’s groaning in a brilliant fallout during an episode called Worldwide Privacy Tour.
Meghan was ridiculed as a “sorority girl, actress, influencer, victim.”
You had to laugh! Of course, the couple isn’t entirely unworthy of praise.
The Archewell Foundation has made some strides in charitable efforts.
However, the overwhelming public assessment has been that the couple talks more about their struggles than they act on solutions.
Then there is the widespread perception of hypocrisy, especially when it comes to the Sussexes’ privacy – so brutally skewered by South Park.
Although they have consistently spoken about the need to escape intrusive media, their actions often contradict this sentiment.
High-profile interviews, intimate TV shows and Harry’s revealing memoir have led many to question his real motivations, further undermining public trust and affection.
In early 2023, Meghan’s Spotify podcast Archetypes struggled to gain a foothold, raising more questions about the couple’s work ethic and ultimately resulting in their separation from Spotify.
The critical turning point came when a Spotify executive labeled them “damn crooks” – a term that suggests an element of dishonesty – which tarnished their public image and could persist.
Reports, including from Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell, have emerged that the couple are being shunned by Hollywood celebrities such as the Clooneys, as well as Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, and have become estranged from their former friends, the Beckhams.
No doubt some of them fear that association with the Sussexes will alienate them from the king and the Welsh.
What Americans found hard to bear was the demolition of their family – a family we take seriously, especially the late Queen, who was widely loved. And the incessant crying
Lee Cohen
Although they still maintain a loyal supporter base, the general American public’s love affair with the Sussexes appears to have faded.
Her journey is a testament to the fickle nature of celebrities and public opinion, especially in a time of relentless media coverage and social scrutiny.
It remains to be seen whether they can reshape their narrative and regain public favor, even with the hiring of new public relations directors on both sides of the Atlantic, along with the launch of Meghan’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Social media, especially X and Instagram, have become battlegrounds for Sussex supporters and critics alike.
Harry and Meg’s business fails
Despite relentless media coverage and the enthusiasm generated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle through their projects, some ventures have not fared as well as others.
Hashtags including #MeghanMarkleExposed, #Harryand Meghanaregrifters, and #Harryis noHero are periodically trending.
However, while it is clear that a significant portion of the American public has fallen out of love with Harry and Meghan, we must recognize that opinions remain divided.
Once welcomed as royal refugees in a land that thrives on fairy tales and self-invention, their American dream is now a cautionary tale.
As Hollywood’s shine fades, I wonder if the Sussexes will be able to reclaim their place in the public’s hearts.
Or perhaps even the most enchanting stories lose their magic in the harsh light of reality.
- Lee Cohen, author and royal commentator, was an adviser on Britain to the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
