Prince Harry has suffered a dramatic reversal in public opinion, falling from one of the most popular members of the Royal Family to a figure who now sits near the bottom of the rankings.

According to HELLO!’s senior editor Jack Malvern, however, the Duke of Sussex’s decline cannot be attributed to a single interview or revelation. 

While his explosive appearances and memoir Spare undoubtedly affected how he was viewed in Britain, Malvern believes another moment played a role in reshaping Harry’s public image.

Speaking to royal editor Emily Nash on the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, Malvern examined polling data to chart the change in Harry’s standing over the past decade.

Royal favourite to near the bottom

Harry’s public image was very different in 2017. 

As a senior working royal, he was widely regarded as the approachable, mischievous younger brother to Prince William, and his popularity was at an extraordinary high.

Malvern recalled that The Duke and William were jointly the most popular members of the Royal Family that year.

Fast-forward to today, and the picture is markedly different. Harry is now positioned close to the bottom of royal popularity rankings, sitting above only Meghan Markle and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Describing the scale of the reversal as “catastrophic”, Malvern noted that the decline happened through a series of moments rather than one straightforward turning point.

Harry’s decision to speak publicly about his relationship with the Royal Family had an undeniable effect on his reputation in Britain.

His 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey brought a series of serious allegations about life within the monarchy into the international spotlight. 

The interview was followed by further revelations in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and, in January 2023, the publication of his memoir Spare.

Malvern acknowledged that both the Oprah interview and the memoir had a “big effect” on Harry’s popularity, with their portrayal of the Royal Family proving particularly unpopular among sections of the British public.

From Harry’s perspective, however, the disclosures represented an attempt to explain his experience and tell his side of a deeply personal story.

His military service, charity work and involvement with the Invictus Games helped reinforce an image of a personable prince who appeared comfortable connecting with the public.

That perception has since been overshadowed by his increasingly public disagreements with the institution he left behind.