Royal commentator calls Meghan's UK return 'act of desperation' amid US popularity drop

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is set to return to the United Kingdom for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022 — and at least one royal commentator is framing the visit as a calculated move driven by flagging popularity rather than genuine commitment to the Invictus Games.

The Sussex family — Prince Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet — are expected to travel to England in July to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham in 2027.

The trip remains contingent on the outcome of an ongoing security review by Ravec, the Royal and VIP executive committee comprising police, Royal and Government specialists, which is assessing Harry's request for state-funded armed protection.

'A nothing burger': Commentator questions the purpose

The Sun's Royal Exclusive TV host Mark Dolan, speaking to presenter Brontë Coy, was dismissive of the rationale behind the full family visit. "I mean, it's something Harry could have jumped on a Zoom and said, okay, folks, a year to go. Good luck, let's go for it. Why are they all coming for what is a nothing burger?" he said.

Dolan stopped short of describing the trip as a goodwill gesture. "I believe it's an act of desperation. Meghan is impervious to shame," he said. He went further, arguing the visit was driven by image management at a time when Meghan's profile in the United States is visibly weakening.

"They need the optics, they need the titles, they need the status, they need the elevated position it gives them because at the moment, we've seen that Meghan's popularity is dropping in the United States," Dolan said.

He also suggested the visit would unsettle the Prince and Princess of Wales. "So it's a great moment for them and a terrible blow for Team Wales. Prince William will be furious," he noted.

The data behind the claim

The assertion about Meghan's declining US standing is borne out by recent polling. YouGov America data shows Meghan was liked by 29% and disliked by 27% of around 1,300 Americans surveyed in the first quarter of 2026, giving her a net approval rating of just +2 — a sharp drop from the third quarter of 2025, when she held a net rating of +15, with 37% liking her and 22% disliking her.

Traffic to Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand website also fell during the same period. Data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb shows US visitors dropped from around 108,000 in December 2025 to approximately 61,500 by April 2026.

Security and family reunion

Harry has been open about his desire to bring his family to the UK but has cited the removal of his taxpayer-funded armed police protection in 2020 as the central barrier. He and his lawyers have argued it is unsafe for him, Meghan, and their two young children to visit without reinstated 24-hour security.

Meghan has earmarked a summer return, with plans to attend the Invictus Games one-year countdown event in Birmingham on 10 July. The 2027 Invictus Games — the sporting competition Harry established for wounded military personnel — will be staged in the city.

Harry has expressed a hope that King Charles will formally open the Birmingham Games, though no invitation has yet been extended. An Invictus spokesperson has previously said the Royal Family will be approached about attending in due course and would be "very much welcome."