Meghan Markle has reportedly reached her lowest popularity rating in the United Kingdom since YouGov began tracking her approval under its current ratings system. The latest poll shows the Duchess of Sussex’s net approval rating dropped sharply during the second quarter of 2026, marking a significant decline from the previous three months.
Meghan Markle’s UK popularity reportedly hits a historic new low amid reunion rumors
The survey follows a year of major developments for Meghan Markle. This included changes to her lifestyle business, high-profile public appearances overseas, and growing speculation about her family’s relationship with the British royal family.
The latest YouGov Ratings show that Markle’s popularity dropped sharply between April and June 2026. Only 18% of people surveyed viewed the duchess positively, while 61% had an unfavorable opinion, giving her a net approval rating of minus 43.
In the first three months of the year, 26% of respondents viewed her positively, and 47% viewed her negatively, giving her a much higher net approval rating of minus 21. The latest poll shows that Markle’s net approval rating fell by 22 points compared with the previous quarter. It is also the lowest rating she has received since YouGov began using its current ratings system.
Even though Markle stepped down as a senior working royal and left the UK in 2020, the country remains an important market as she plans to expand her lifestyle brand, As Ever, internationally. Similarweb data also shows that people in the UK continue to show steady interest in the brand.
Even though the “Suits” alum’s overall ratings dropped, younger people continued to support her more than older age groups. Among millennials, 33% viewed her positively, while 40% had an unfavorable opinion. Her ratings were much lower among older respondents. The survey found that 80% of Generation X respondents viewed Markle negatively, while only 8% viewed her positively. Among baby boomers, 75% had an unfavorable opinion of the duchess, while just 11% viewed her positively.
The poll also showed a small difference between men and women. Among men, 25% viewed Markle positively and 60% viewed her negatively. Among women, 13% had a positive opinion, while 63% viewed her unfavorably.
