Advertisement

Wild about Harry! The prince is the most popular royal and Meghan has a surprise ranking

Prince Harry gets a rock star reception in Rotorua, New Zealand, on October 31.

Prince Harry gets a rock star reception in Rotorua, New Zealand, on October 31. Photo: Getty

Prince Harry has had a big year – his wedding to Meghan Markle, being named Duke of Sussex, the news he’ll become a father in the coming months – and now he has a new honour.

The duke trumped all other members of his family, including the Queen, to win the crown of most popular British royal, according to a new survey.

Wife Meghan was arguably the surprise package of the list, being outranked by Prince Philip, 97, into sixth spot, despite her established celebrity status and access to the family’s best stylist.

At the tail end of the list? Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, but at least she scraped into the top 10, unlike the most disliked royals.

They included the Countess of Wessex and husband Prince Edward, and the entire York family (barring Sarah Ferguson, who doesn’t count anyway): Prince Andrew and daughters Princess Beatrice and newlywed Princess Eugenie.

William, Harry, Meghan, Kate

Hot stuff: William, Harry, Meghan and Kate on November 11 in London. Photo: Getty

For royal watchers, Harry, 34, claiming the title makes sense.

His persona has been supercharged and protocol-bending since his engagement last November, while father of three Prince William is lumbered with expectations he’ll stick to a more formal demeanour.

Harry was at his boyish best during the recent tour with Meghan that included Australia, and all of it was captured to his advantage on Kensington Palace’s pitch-perfect social media accounts.

He got to align his chakras during an ‘anti-bad vibe’ yoga circle on Bondi beach, enthusiastically dragged on a pair of Speedos over his chinos live on camera, and is so besotted with his wife he can’t take his hands off her in public.

What’s not to love? And the British public have eaten it up.

The survey by global public opinion and data company YouGov – which polled more than 3600 people between May 15 and October 3 – showed that 77 per cent of the British public have a positive opinion of the Duke of Sussex.

His grandmother Queen Elizabeth, 92, came in second (but she was most popular overall with men), with William and his wife Kate Middleton, both 36, in third and fourth place respectively.

Eighty six per cent of women and 69 per cent of men approved of Harry, according to UK newspaper The Telegraph, with just 7 per cent of respondents having a negative opinion of either Harry or William.

Nine per cent disapproved of the Queen and Kate, and 10 per cent actively didn’t like Meghan.

Harry and Meghan

Recently married, recently pregnant, and recently toured Australia – Harry and Meghan are among the top favourite royals. Photo: Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a terrific year in the spotlight, with the birth of Prince Louis in April and his christening, which saw the family of five turn out in Vogue cover-worthy style.

William’s appeal saw him take a minor title. He was named the “most famous” royal, with 99 per cent of people recognising him.

In sixth, women’s advocate Meghan appealed to just over half of the people surveyed, with 55 per cent of them saying they like her.

Despite the heir to the throne having a landmark year – he turns 70 on November 14 – and earning props for walking Meghan down the aisle when her father dramatically pulled the pin, Prince Charles languished on the list.

Just 48 per cent gave him a tick of approval.

Rounding out the top 10 are Princess Anne, 68, her daughter Zara Phillips, 37, and Camilla, 71.

Royal family

The gang’s all here … some more popular than others (on November 11). Photo: Getty

The most and least popular British royals:

1. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
2. Queen Elizabeth II
3. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
4. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
5. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
6. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
7. Prince Charles
8. Princess Anne
9. Zara Phillips
10. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
11. Sophie, Countess of Wessex
12. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
13. Princess Beatrice of York
14. Princess Eugenie of York
15. Prince Andrew, Duke of York

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.