Hold onto your royal teacups, because the drama in the House of Windsor is taking yet another wild turn! According to explosive new polling data released from YouGov’s latest Q2 tracking, Meghan Markle’s public approval rating in the United Kingdom has officially nosedived to an all-time historic low. Following a whirlwind year packed with high-profile international appearances, brand expansions, and persistent rumors swirling around royal family tensions, the Duchess of Sussex is facing a staggering PR crisis across the pond just as she gears up to push her lifestyle brand, As Ever, into global markets.

The brutal numbers speak volumes about the stark divide in public perception. Between April and June 2026, Meghan’s net approval rating plummeted by a massive 22 points compared to the previous quarter, crashing down to a grim negative 43. The data reveals that a mere 18% of surveyed UK respondents view the former Suits star in a positive light, while a towering 61% hold a negative opinion. For context, those figures mark a steep decline from earlier in the year when she sat at a 26% positive rating and 47% negative (yielding a net negative 21). Despite stepping down from senior royal duties and relocating to California back in 2020, the UK remains a critical market for her lifestyle empire—with Similarweb data proving that Brits are still fiercely curious and tracking her brand’s every move, even if public sentiment remains ice-cold.

However, a closer look at the demographic breakdown reveals a fascinating generational and gender civil war happening over the Duchess! While older generations are overwhelmingly harsh—with a staggering 80% of Generation X and 75% of Baby Boomers viewing her negatively compared to just single-digit positive ratings—millennials are offering a much softer safety net. Among millennial respondents, a much healthier 33% view her positively, though still counterbalanced by 40% negativity. The gender split is equally intriguing: men surveyed lean slightly more forgiving with a 25% positive and 60% negative split, while women are far tougher critics, boasting a 13% positive versus a scorching 63% negative rating. Whether she’s battling brutal poll numbers, dodging relentless royal drama, or trying to conquer the international lifestyle market, one thing is certain: Meghan Markle continues to be the ultimate lightning rod for global pop culture obsession!

Source: Compiled from various sources