Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Mocked on SNL: Are the Sussexes Losing Favor in the US?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, found themselves the target of a savage joke on Saturday Night Live (SNL), fueling speculation about their standing in the United States. The skit, part of Colin Jost's Weekend Update, used the couple as a punchline in a hypothetical UK-US trade deal, suggesting Britain would only agree if America kept Harry and Meghan. This raises the question: are the Sussexes losing their initial popularity and positive media coverage in the US?
The SNL skit referenced a mock trade deal where, according to Jost, "All that Britain demands in return is that we keep these two," as a photo of Harry and Meghan appeared on the screen. This comedic jab comes amidst other signs suggesting a shift in American sentiment towards the couple.
While Meghan Markle once graced the cover of Vanity Fair with the headline "She's just wild about Harry!" in 2018, a more recent cover reflected a different reality. An explosive 8,000-word exposé titled "American Hustle" painted a far from flattering picture, with sources labeling the Sussexes as the 'most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet'. The article, citing numerous sources, suggested that Meghan could be ‘really, really awful’ when things didn't go her way.
Despite the criticism, reports suggest that their marriage remains strong. One source declared 'their love is real' and they are still 'hot for each other'. This comes after Prince Harry engaged in a newsworthy conflict with the his family regarding his security in the UK.
Adding to the narrative, Prince Harry recently faced criticism following an interview regarding his relationship with his father, King Charles. However, a YouGov poll indicated that Harry remains relatively popular among Americans, though less so than his brother, Prince William.
Despite the SNL joke, the previous night Harry and Meghan seemed carefree, attending Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour in Los Angeles. Meghan Markle shared photos of their evening, including a sweet kiss from Harry, and was spotted dancing and enjoying the show. She even wore a custom cowboy hat with the names of their children, Archie and Lilibet, embroidered inside. This public display of affection and enjoyment offers a contrasting image to the negative portrayals.
Colin Jost's joke highlights a perceived shift in public opinion. The couple, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, have faced increased scrutiny and less favorable coverage. The joke itself implies that the UK might be happy to let the US deal with the Sussexes, reflecting a potential decline in their popularity across the pond, too.
So, are the Sussexes truly losing favor in America, or is this just a temporary blip in the ever-changing landscape of celebrity opinion? What do you think about Harry and Meghan’s current image? Leave your comments and share your opinions below.