Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will feel like they are “venturing into the lion’s den” when they return to the UK next month, a royal commentator claims.
Earlier this week the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they will be heading to Britain to appear at a couple of charitable events which sandwich the Invictus Games One Year To Go launch in Dusseldorf, Germany.
According to Richard Fitzwilliams, the couple could experience a “fairly difficult” time following a reported drop in popularity if a YouGov poll from May is to be believed, Express.co.uk reports.
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan’s surprise visit to UK will clash with important date for Queen
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said the pair will be coming back in September to “visit with several charities close to their hearts”.
(Image: Getty Images)
The trip will be their first visit since the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June but this time the nation’s and monarch’s eyes will be on the comings and goings in Downing Street as the Prime Minister is replaced.
Speaking of Harry and Meghan’s charity dates, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “Originally they wanted to step back, not step down.
“Obviously they’re not performing royal duties but they are members of the Royal Family even though they no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles.”
However, Mr Fitzwilliams said that the couple’s standing in UK public opinion has “dropped phenomenally” as a result of “damaging” interviews in the media.
(Image: Getty Images)
He said: “We’ve had Oprah – we know how damaging that was and there have been a large number of interviews that they have given about the Royal Family, to say nothing of Harry’s upcoming memoir.
“What has happened during this period is that their ratings have dropped phenomenally.”
The commentator added: “Their popularity has plunged in Britain.
“They know when they appear that they are at war with the press here, it’s rather like venturing into the lion’s den now because you’ve got the public who are not supportive and you’ve got the press who are ferociously against them – and then you’ve also got the royal family where there’s a rift.”
(Image: Getty Images)
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A YouGov poll published in May saw the couple’s approval ratings drop to an all-time low, with Meghan being viewed negatively by 63% of adults surveyed.
She had a -42 net approval rating.
Harry also saw his ratings drop to a -26 net approval rating, with 58% of people saying they viewed him negatively.
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