Harry, Meghan’s US approval rating down after ‘South Park’ dig

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s approval rating in the US took a drastic tumble following a “South Park” episode that mercilessly mocked the couple.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to move across the pond in a desperate bid for privacy was highlighted in the show’s latest episode, titled “The Worldwide Privacy Tour.”

And as a result, their ratings plummeted way below Prince Andrew’s, according to a new survey conducted by market research firm Redfield & Wilton for Newsweek.

The poll said that Harry’s overall US approval rating took a hit by three points to -10 since the “South Park” episode aired. His wife’s rating now sits at -17.

The new figures show a drastic shift in popularity, as in December 2021, Harry’s rating was up 48 points and Markle’s was up 40 compared to now, the poll shows.


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ratings in the US took a tumble following a recent "South Park" episode.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ratings in the US took a tumble following a recent “South Park” episode.
Netflix

A recent episode of “South Park” mocked the former royal couple.
A recent episode of “South Park” mocked the former royal couple.
Comedy Central

It also means that the majority of Americans prefer Harry’s scandal-scarred uncle, Prince Andrew, to the Sussexes.

Andrew’s approval rating sits at -2 as the poll found that 26% said they liked the Duke of York, while 28% said they disliked him.

The remaining votes were listed as indifferent or “don’t know.”


The poll said Harry's overall US approval rating took a hit by three points to -10, while Meghan sits at -17.
The poll said Harry’s overall US approval rating took a hit by three points to -10, while Meghan sits at -17.
Comedy Central

The Sussexes sensationally stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2021 — a decision that was followed by a permanent move to the US, and several high-publicity projects such as a Netflix doc, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”

For his part, Andrew’s popularity took a tumble around the time his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, famously stripped him of his royal and military honors.

Andrew, who was barred from using his HRH (“His Royal Highness”) moniker following his association with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, also lost his patronages last year.


The Sussexes sensationally stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2021, a decision that was followed by a permanent move to the US.
The Sussexes sensationally stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2021, a decision that was followed by a permanent move to the US.
Getty Images

While he is still a Royal Knight of the Garter and a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, he was told face to face by his mother that he would no longer be known as His Royal Highness.

The retraction of Andrew’s official royal labels came amid his sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre, who has long claimed that Epstein made her have “disgusting” sex with the royal three times, starting in 2001 when she was just 17.

Andrew’s lawyers say he “unequivocally denies Giuffre’s false allegations against him.” He settled the case out of court for an undisclosed sum last February.


The couple has done several projects, including their Netflix docu-series.
The couple has done several projects, including their Netflix docuseries.
Netflix

He’s since been kicked out of Buckingham Palace by his brother, King Charles, and faces another potential eviction notice from the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

It’s reported that Andrew is exploring a potential move to the US after “keeping an eye” on how Harry and Meghan are getting on.

The source claimed that the disgraced 62-year-old is “very interested” in “business and charity” — but unlike his nephew, he will not be exploring Netflix-style projects as he looks to “forge a new career.”