Since stepping down from their royal roles in 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have faced a turbulent shift in public sentiment. Once welcomed for their candor and fresh perspectives, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen their popularity wane as their public narrative, initially praised for shedding light on the challenges of royal life, has started to wear thin on many.
Initially, Meghan and Harry captivated audiences with openness, speaking on deeply personal struggles. High-profile interviews, including their sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, allowed them to share their journey candidly, winning sympathy and support. But over time, critics have accused the couple of fostering a self-centered narrative, with many viewers perceiving their frequent disclosures as a continuous airing of grievances.
The couple’s descent into public disfavor was marked symbolically when The Hollywood Reporter listed the Sussexes among 2023’s “Biggest Losers.” The listing signaled a significant shift in how they are viewed in the entertainment industry a stark contrast to the couple’s once-glamorous entry into Hollywood.
Adding to this difficult year, former allies like respected royal biographer Hugo Vickers and ex-Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown have distanced themselves from Meghan, casting further shadows over her media image.
Vickers, who once saw Meghan as a positive addition to the royal family, no longer aligns with her actions. Reflecting on her early days as a royal, he recalls, “When she first joined the royal family…there was so much that she could do.”
However, Meghan’s behavior reportedly strained her ties within and beyond the royal circle. Vickers lamented that she “managed to upset everybody, including Tina Brown, and that can’t be a coincidence.”
Brown, once one of Meghan’s strongest advocates, has since spoken harshly of the Duchess’s judgment. Known for her connections to the royal family, Brown had initially believed in Meghan’s potential to effect positive change.
But in a recent appearance on The Ankler podcast, she voiced her disappointment with Markle, bluntly stating, “The trouble with Meghan is that she has the worst judgment…Her issue is that she doesn’t listen. She has all these people, asks them their opinion, and then doesn’t follow it.” Brown’s unfiltered remarks, labeling Meghan’s ideas as “total crap,” have reportedly left the Duchess devastated.
For Meghan, the critique from Brown—a figure she once admired for her ties to Princess Diana—strikes an especially painful chord. According to royal commentator Neil Sean, Meghan was “inconsolable with tears and at the same time outraged” by Brown’s words.
Meghan’s admiration for Brown’s career and her connection to Diana had reportedly fueled her desire to read Brown’s books in hopes of understanding Harry’s mother more intimately.
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The Duchess’s emotional response underscores her deep admiration for Brown and highlights the challenge she faces as her support system erodes. Vickers’ commentary further reinforces this issue, noting Meghan’s tendency to lose allies. “Megan does seem to have a capacity for losing friends and allies all around the place,” he remarked, underscoring the isolation Meghan faces after her entry into royal life promised so much.
As Meghan and Harry navigate their post-royal lives, the loss of influential allies points to larger issues. Brown’s critique centers on Meghan’s unwillingness to heed the advice of those around her, which has reportedly led to questionable decisions and isolation from prominent figures. This departure from once-prominent support has left the Sussexes on a complex and uncertain path as they work to define themselves outside the royal family.
The rift with Brown and Vickers exemplifies a broader challenge: the erosion of Meghan’s public image and support from those who once saw her as a fresh, impactful figure. Once heralded as a transformative presence, Meghan’s missteps and perceived unwillingness to listen have led to a growing distance from allies and critics alike.
The personal toll on Meghan is clear, yet whether she can rebuild these fractured relationships—or adapt to life without these influential figures remains uncertain. For now, Meghan’s heartbreak over the harsh words from those she once admired signals the deep personal impact of public scrutiny.
As she and Harry move forward, they face the challenge of adapting to a world with dwindling influential support while attempting to rebuild their image.
