Prince Harry has launched a fresh broadside against his critics in the UK, slamming them as “out of touch with the nation” regarding his popularity.
The Duke of Sussex was reflecting on his life over the past five years and relationship with the British people following his exit from royal life in 2020.
Harry made the comments while embarking on a surprise trip to Ukraine following a packed four-day visit to the UK, which culminated in his first meeting with King Charles in over a year and a half.
During the candid remarks, the duke expressed his belief that he maintains “a lot of support from the British public” despite an apparent attempt to see him “destroyed” by the media.
Harry has slammed his critics as ‘out of touch’ in a new broadside
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“I feel a lot of support from the British public. Even now, when I feel like I have been destroyed by certain members of the British press,” the duke said.
“It serves them to think that the British public feels the same way about me as they do,” he added.
Harry continued his fiery defence, adding: “I don’t feel that, and I don’t see that.”
“For as long as I have known, certain elements of the British press have tried to speak on behalf of the nation. I think they are out of touch with the nation on lots of things,” he declared.
The duke felt elements of the British press has ‘destroyed’ him
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The prince suggested the British press “hope to bring the public with them” in an apparent crusade against him.
“I think the British public can speak and think for themselves,” he told The Guardian newspaper.
Harry also argued the media were misrepresenting his own disposition, declaring: “I am very happy with who I am and I like the life that I live.”
“It is only in certain elements of the press where you see this talk about me being down or saying I am not smiling.
Harry was confident he enjoyed ‘a lot of support from the British public’
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“This comes from people who think they know what I am thinking and how I am feeling. They are wrong,” the duke said.
“I think parts of the British press want to believe that I am miserable, but I’m not. I am very happy with who I am and I like the life that I live,” he assured.
During his visit to the UK, Harry dropped in on several of his most treasured causes and warmly interacted with members of the public.
While this may have filled him with the confidence the nation was with him, recent polling data has suggested the duke may still have a hill to climb on that score.
Recent polling data suggests the duke remains one of the least popular members of the Royal Family
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YouGov’s royal favourability tracker, which ranks members of the Firm on support from the public, showed that only 28 per cent of Britons hold a positive opinion of him.
This was compounded by a staggering 62 per cent of respondents viewing him negatively.
The latest data placed him only one-point higher than results earlier this year – his worst polling performance since early 2023.
Harry may be fully aware of this challenge, with a source suggesting he “reads his own polls” and “knows he’s one of the least popular royals”.
The insider told the Daily Mail that “he wants that to change” and “get back to being one of the most popular”.