The Australian public has spoken, and the message is unmistakable: "Thanks, but no thanks" to Prince Harry and Meghan, the self-exiled royal duo who have transformed into Netflix stars, failed influencers, and, some would argue, professional grifters.
While King Charles III is warmly welcomed as he tours Australia, Harry and Meghan's absence is glaring—and it's no accident. It seems their invitations were either lost in the mail or, more likely, never sent at all. The couple’s steady decline in popularity has been evident since they stepped back from royal duties and departed the UK.
Once, the Sussexes believed the world—particularly the United States—would welcome them with open arms as they shared their version of royal victimhood. However, the reality didn’t live up to their expectations. In a fashion resembling a soap opera, the narrative quickly turned sour. From bungled media ventures to public backlash, and their constant grievances about the royal family, the couple’s star power dimmed faster than a California sunset. Now, with King Charles receiving a warm reception during his Australian tour, it’s clear where the public’s loyalties lie. Australians appear to favor the more traditional royals, such as King Charles, Prince William, and Princess Catherine.
Recent polling in Australia confirms this sentiment, showing that King Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince William remain beloved figures Down Under. Unfortunately for Harry and Meghan, the data tells a different story. Harry's approval rating has plummeted to a dismal -17, a clear indication that his persistent complaints and perceived victimhood have failed to resonate with the Australian public. Meghan’s situation is even more dire. Despite her Hollywood glamour and carefully crafted image of royal activism, she finds herself with an approval rating of -32. This puts her a staggering 78 points behind Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who remains a firm favorite among Australians.
If Meghan had any hopes of winning over the Australian public with another of her wordy speeches about empowerment or climate change, she would be sorely mistaken. Australians, known for their no-nonsense attitude, have seen through what they perceive as empty rhetoric. Meghan's brand of "royal activism" holds little appeal in a country that values authenticity over celebrity. No red carpets, no star-studded events, and certainly no photo ops with kangaroos await her in Australia. If she thought Americans were growing tired of her, Australians have made it crystal clear they have no interest in the Sussexes’ ongoing saga or whatever lifestyle brand Meghan is trying to cultivate.
In fact, Australia has metaphorically slammed the door in their faces. The collective sentiment from the Australian public seems to be, "Don't bother coming back." There's no appetite for Harry or his "handler," Meghan. In contrast, royals who have stayed committed to their duties without public complaints—like Prince William, Princess Anne, and Princess Catherine—continue to enjoy widespread admiration and affection. This is a stark contrast to the early days of Harry and Meghan's American journey when the couple was securing multi-million dollar deals and basking in the glow of media attention. Back then, it seemed the world was at their feet.
However, fame is fickle. When your only currency is controversy and complaints, it doesn’t take long for the public to lose interest. Even Spotify executive Bill Simmons famously labeled them as "grifters," a sentiment that has gained traction around the world. Now, while King Charles is enjoying his time in Australia, likely sharing tea with local dignitaries and engaging in discussions about climate change or the future of the Commonwealth, Harry and Meghan are left out in the cold.
The once-celebrated couple, who believed they could break free from royal life and carve out successful independent careers, are now facing the harsh reality that their royal status doesn’t easily translate to global superstardom. As King Charles continues to shine in the royal spotlight during his Australian tour, Harry and Meghan find themselves on the sidelines, their dreams of worldwide admiration crumbling as quickly as their Netflix ratings.
Australia has spoken: the public may love the royal family, but only those who respect the monarchy and don’t treat it as a platform for personal gain. For Harry and Meghan, it seems the door Down Under is firmly shut, and there’s little chance of it reopening anytime soon.
