The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, remain in the public eye as they navigate their relationship with the royal family while striving to maintain their independence.
Throughout 2021, the popularity of the royal couple has seen a decline, notably triggered by their revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they criticized the royal family.
Recent findings from a YouGov survey indicate a notable shift in public opinion in England. Prince Harry's popularity dropped from 43% to 34%, while Meghan's fell from 29% to 26%. This decline, particularly in Meghan's case, is significant, considering her recognition as Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2018—a distinction not achieved by many British royal women.
Even the announcement of a lucrative memoir deal with Penguin Random House, scheduled for publication after the queen's passing, failed to improve the couple's public image.
In response to the strained relations, recent reports from the British press reveal that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have initiated a plan for reconciliation with Queen Elizabeth II and the crown.
The couple has extended an olive branch through a letter requesting a meeting with the queen to introduce their great-granddaughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in the coming weeks. The couple previously explained that the name is a tribute to the queen.
Rumors in England suggest that the couple, now residing in the United States, may even have intentions of holding Lilibet Diana's baptism at Windsor Castle, although pandemic-related responses are pending.
Simultaneously, Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly taken steps to safeguard the British monarchy from further damage, exacerbated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's actions and the sc--dal involving Prince Andrew.
Expressing exasperation with her grandson and his wife, the queen is concerned about the impact of the Oprah Winfrey interview on the royal family. In response, the monarch aims to address the situation to protect the integrity of the crown.
Amidst concerns about the upcoming memoir, authored by Prince Harry, and the updated version of "Finding Freedom," which addresses fallout from the Oprah interview, critics view the couple's criticisms of the royal family as "self-indulgent whining." Many in the United Kingdom have grown weary of what they perceive as a constant stream of complaints, particularly when it involves criticism of the beloved 95-year-old monarch.
As the tumultuous relationship between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their families continues to unfold, it appears that Queen Elizabeth II is poised to take decisive action to navigate this complex chapter in the royal saga.
