From that South Park savaging to the ‘grifters’ furore… how America fell out of love with the Sussexes
An analysis piece examines how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's standing in the United States has declined since they relocated there in 2020, coinciding with reports that the couple are considering a "forever move" back to Britain after six years away. The article argues that after initial sympathy following their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and lucrative Netflix and Spotify deals, American audiences and critics grew disillusioned as the couple struggled to produce content beyond retelling grievances against the Royal Family.
The piece cites a string of setbacks, including a savage 2023 South Park parody episode titled "The Worldwide Privacy Tour", poor critical reception for projects such as the Netflix polo series (a 25 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score) and the worthy-but-dull interview series Live To Lead, and growing accusations that the couple were "grifters" trading on their royal status. Despite bestseller sales for Harry's memoir Spare (1.43 million copies on its first day) and headline-grabbing deals reportedly worth $100 million with Netflix and $20 million with Spotify, the article contends that Hollywood ultimately soured on the Sussexes' limited range of material.
- Sussexes' US popularity has waned since their 2020 move and big media deals.
- Article cites South Park mockery and "grifters" backlash as turning points.
- Report says couple may now be planning a permanent return to Britain.
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Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, and his wife Meghan Markle, a former American actress, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States, settling in California. The decision, dubbed "Megxit" at the time, followed reports of tension between the couple and the rest of the Royal Family, and marked the start of a new, independent life for them outside Britain.
In the years since, the couple have built a media and business career in America, giving a widely watched interview to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 and signing major deals with streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify. Harry also published a bestselling memoir, Spare, detailing his upbringing and rifts within the Royal Family.
The couple's various television projects, documentaries and public appearances have drawn mixed reactions from American critics and audiences, with some accusing them of trading on their royal titles without offering much new. This backdrop of shifting public and industry opinion in the US is the context for ongoing discussion about the Sussexes' future plans and standing on both sides of the Atlantic.