The Australian public has spoken, and the message is clear: "Thanks, but no thanks" to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The self-exiled royal couple, turned Netflix stars, failed influencers, and what some have called "professional grifters," seem to have worn out their welcome. As King Charles makes his way through Australia, warmly received by crowds, it is conspicuous that Harry and Meghan’s invitations must have been lost in the mail—or, more likely, were never sent in the first place.
It's no secret that Harry and Meghan have been on a steady decline since they bid farewell to their royal duties and left the United Kingdom. The Sussexes once seemed to believe that the world, particularly the United States, would welcome them with open arms as they shared their tales of royal victimhood. However, like many soap operas, reality turned out to be quite different from the dream. From botched media deals to public gaffes and a never-ending stream of grievances about the royal family, their star power has faded faster than a California sunset.
As King Charles receives a warm reception on his Australian tour, the public’s sentiments toward the royals are becoming clear. Australians still have a fondness for traditional figures such as King Charles, Prince William, and Princess Catherine. A recent poll in Australia shows that King Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince William remain beloved down under. In contrast, Harry and Meghan's approval ratings have plummeted. Harry's approval has dropped to a dismal -17, suggesting that his endless complaints and tendency to portray himself as a perpetual victim have not resonated well with Australians.
What about Meghan? Surely the Duchess of Sussex, with her Hollywood glamour and carefully curated image as a royal activist, could have won over the Australian public? Not quite. Meghan’s approval rating is even worse than Harry’s, standing at a disastrous -32. To put that into perspective, she trails 78 points behind Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who remains a favorite among Australians. If Meghan had hoped to win over the Aussies with speeches about empowerment or climate change, she has been sorely mistaken.
Australians, known for their no-nonsense attitudes and sharp wit, seem to have seen through Meghan’s act. They're not interested in what she’s selling. No red carpets, no star-studded events, and certainly no photo ops with kangaroos have been offered to her on this occasion. If she thought Americans were growing tired of her, Australia has made it abundantly clear that they are even less interested in her sob stories or lifestyle brand. The metaphorical door has been slammed in their faces, and you can almost hear the collective Australian voice shouting through the keyhole, "Don't bother coming back."
In stark contrast, the royals who have remained dedicated to their duties, such as Prince William, Princess Anne, and Princess Catherine, continue to enjoy high levels of public affection. It's a far cry from the early days of Harry and Meghan’s post-royal adventure in the U.S., when they were signing multi-million dollar deals and basking in media attention. Back then, it seemed like the world was their oyster. But fame, as they are learning, is fickle. When your main currency is complaints and controversy, people eventually lose interest.
Even Bill Simmons, a Spotify executive, famously referred to them as "grifters," a sentiment that appears to have struck a chord with many. Now, while King Charles is likely sharing cups of tea with Australian dignitaries and chatting about climate change or the Commonwealth, Harry and Meghan find themselves left out in the cold. The couple who once thought they could break free from royal life and become global superstars are discovering that being a royal is not as easy as trading palaces for podcasts.
As the spotlight continues to shine brightly on King Charles during his Australian tour, Harry and Meghan are increasingly sidelined. Their dreams of worldwide adoration are crumbling faster than their Netflix ratings. Australians have spoken—they love the royal family, but only the ones who remain committed to their duties and don’t treat the monarchy as a means for personal profit. As for Harry and Meghan, it seems the door down under is firmly closed, and there's little hope of it reopening anytime soon.
