Meghan Markle and Prince Harry seem to have found themselves in a rather unexpected situation—overshadowed by none other than Prince Andrew.
While the world’s attention has largely been on the couple’s high-profile endeavors and public statements, their standing within the Royal Family has quietly slipped, positioning them below Prince Andrew on the official royal hierarchy. Ironically, despite Andrew’s own history of scandals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen their rankings fall even lower than his, leading some to see this as a twist of fate with a dash of irony.
According to the official website of the Royal Family, Meghan and Harry are now listed at the very bottom of the page, a move that feels akin to being relegated to the "kids' table" at a formal family gathering. Even Prince Andrew, often mired in controversies and public scrutiny, enjoys a higher place than the Sussexes. The order on the website features King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the top, followed by the popular Prince and Princess of Wales. But at the very bottom, almost like unwelcome guests at the family gathering, sit Meghan and Harry. Adding to this perceived slight, their individual profiles have been merged into a single entry—an unusual departure from the tradition of individual pages for each royal family member. This joint profile subtly underscores their perceived fall from grace.
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, despite his tarnished reputation and serious allegations, retains his individual profile page. It’s as if Buckingham Palace is sending a message: Meghan and Harry, who chose to step back from royal duties, now find themselves lower in the pecking order than even the most publicly scrutinized royal. The perceived message is unmistakable—there’s a certain sense of poetic justice in the way the hierarchy has been restructured.
Public opinion polls also paint a rather unflattering picture for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry’s popularity currently stands at 26%, with a staggering 62% of respondents holding a negative view of him. Meghan fares even worse, with only 22% having a positive opinion and 65% viewing her unfavorably. By contrast, Prince Andrew, despite his long-standing controversies, isn’t quite at the bottom of the popularity scale, making the Sussexes’ unpopularity even more striking.
This narrative of mockery and subtle jabs from the royal institution is underscored by a series of events over the past year. Notably, earlier this year, Meghan attempted to overshadow Princess Catherine’s return to public life by launching a line of artisanal jam and dog biscuits—a venture that fell flat. The products failed to make the impact she had hoped, and in an almost comical twist, Buckingham Palace responded by launching their own line of pet merchandise, which sold out rapidly. It felt like the Palace was delivering a reality check with a touch of dry British humor.
As Meghan and Harry continue to navigate their newfound reality, their recent endeavors, whether grandiose business ventures or attempts to cultivate a celebrity lifestyle, are increasingly beginning to resemble a farcical play. Each misstep and public relations blunder only seems to add to the perception that they’ve become the royal family’s preferred punchline.
Looking ahead, the question remains: What’s next for the Sussexes? Will they attempt to revitalize their brand with new business ventures or perhaps venture into reality television? Whatever their next steps, one thing seems clear—Meghan and Harry have unintentionally cemented their place as the butt of the royal family’s jokes, with Prince Andrew’s relative position serving as a stinging reminder of just how far they’ve fallen.
