It has been couple of weeks since the disastrous fallout of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with CBS, which laid bare the deep tension between the couple. Their disdain for each other was impossible to ignore, making the interview painfully obvious in its portrayal of their strained relationship. However, what is also glaringly apparent—and incredibly concerning for the brand of Harry and Meghan moving forward—is how the couple was ratioed into oblivion.
The term “ratioed” refers to when a post receives significantly more negative responses compared to positive ones. In this case, Meghan’s brief mention of Archie and Lilibet, alongside Harry’s comments on parents needing to be first responders, garnered only 834 thumbs up against 25,000 downvotes. This yields a dismal approval rating of just 3%, starkly lower than the 95% approval usually seen for most YouTube content creators. This severe imbalance highlights how poorly the couple’s message was received.
The question arises: Where is the Sussex Squad, Meghan’s self-appointed protectors who often troll royalist supporters on social media? My theory is that this interview illustrates a stark reality: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s audience is indeed very small. Their likability appears to be minimal, and the Sussex Squad—ardent supporters of Harry and Meghan—are vastly outnumbered by those who support the monarchy or simply dislike the couple.
This is a significant issue for Harry and Meghan, especially when it comes to marketing products. If only 3% or, in some cases, 11% of the audience supports them, their potential market is limited. With such a small and diminishing fan base, generating interest in their ventures, like Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard, becomes increasingly challenging.
In light of this, let’s examine the concept of being ratioed further. Ratioing on platforms like YouTube and Twitter indicates a strong negative reaction from the audience. For example, the recent Snow White trailer received 59,000 upvotes but 362 downvotes, translating to about a 12% disapproval rate. In contrast, the teaser trailer for “Rings of Power” had 105,000 upvotes versus 406,000 downvotes, showing a significant level of dissatisfaction.
Similarly, the official trailer for Harry and Meghan’s Netflix show had 24,000 upvotes and 261,000 downvotes, reflecting a poor reception. Despite high viewership numbers driven by curiosity, the negative feedback suggests that the audience’s interest is waning. The same pattern is observed in ratings and reviews for their other projects, such as the Invictus Games and their documentary series.
The disparity between critic and audience ratings further underscores this issue. For instance, “The Acolyte” received a 78% rating from critics but only 18% from viewers, highlighting a gap between critical approval and public reception. This discrepancy suggests that while critics may praise certain aspects of a project, the general audience often has a different, more negative view.
Harry and Meghan’s ventures, including their Netflix content and American Riviera Orchard, struggle to find a cohesive direction. Their constant shift in focus—ranging from charity initiatives to brand launches—seems to lack a unifying purpose, leading to confusion and diminishing support. Moreover, the criticism they face often reflects a broader dissatisfaction with their public image and efforts.
In conclusion, the ongoing issues with Harry and Meghan’s public reception and market performance reveal a troubling trend. Their attempts to shift focus and launch new ventures are met with increasing skepticism and negative feedback. To turn things around, they need to address their public perception issues head-on and focus on consistent, impactful messaging. Until then, their efforts to regain popularity and success remain precarious.
Let me know what you think about this analysis. Are you surprised by the extent of the ratioing and the public reaction? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you soon.
