Meghan Markle still ahead of Prince Edward in popularity ratings despite losing support

Meghan Markle still ahead of Prince Edward in popularity ratings despite losing support
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 27/09/2022

- 15:05

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:38

Meghan Markle's popularity has plummeted since, alongside husband Prince Harry, she stepped down as a senior royal – but she is still above Prince Edward

The Duchess of Sussex was voted the eighth most admired member of the Royal Family in a survey of 2,000.

Prince William came first with Kate, Princess of Wales finishing in second place.


King Charles III was next, in third place, followed by Princess Anne and Prince Harry in fourth and fifth.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was sixth with Queen Consort Camilla in seventh.

Coming behind Meghan was Prince George in ninth spot, with Prince Edward finishing tenth.

The survey also showed a clear difference of opinion between age groups.

Those in the 18-24 age group said they admire Harry and Meghan the most.

William and Harry were joint-winners among 25-34-year-olds, while people aged 35-44 said they admire the Prince of Wales and King Charles the most.

People in the 45-54 age group said they especially admire William and Kate, while Princess Anne and the Princess of Wales were voted the favourites by those aged 55-64.

Brits aged over 65 said Prince William is their favourite royal, in the poll carried out by The Sun.

It comes as extracts are released of Valentine Low's book, due for publication in October.

Writing in 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown', he claims that, during the initial deliberations on January 8, 2020, Queen Elizabeth II wanted all four royal households to work together on a Megxit solution.

Meetings were held at Clarence House before they were moved to Buckingham Palace while Prince William's private secretary, Simon Case, was also involved.

Five options were allegedly discussed, including giving the Sussexes a month off each year for their own activities.

An alternative was the idea that they could take on fewer engagements and spend most of their time doing other things.

It was taken as a given that blanket rules on not making decisions for financial or material gain would apply.

Mr Low quotes a palace insider as saying: "I think Meghan thought she was going to be the Beyonce of the UK.

Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Prince William
Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Prince William
PETER NICHOLLS

"Being part of the Royal Family would give her that kudos. Whereas what she discovered was that there were so many rules that were so ridiculous that she couldn't even do the things that she could do as a private individual, which is tough."

Another said the Duchess would be unable to fit the model of a working royal, with the palace unable to accept "who she wanted to be".

Mr Low writes that it was Queen Elizabeth II who had the "very clear view: you can't be in and out".

He adds that any chance of "compromise" was taken off the table by the late monarch.

Meghan Markle was admired more than Prince Edward, according to the poll
Meghan Markle was admired more than Prince Edward, according to the poll
PA

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Oli Scarff

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