Former ITN royal editor Tim Ewart told Sky News Australia that Harry and Meghan’s popularity has plummeted in the wake of the couple’s Netflix series and the Duke’s memoir, Spare.
Asked if Harry and Meghan’s behvaiour was making things difficult for them, Mr Ewart said: “Quite clearly the Sussexes are becoming extremely unpopular in this country.
“Now it would be unfair to say that that is an opinion held by everybody. Younger people in Britain like the Sussexes, [they] like the diversity that they bring to the Royal Family, the modern lifestyle that they lead, who respect the way that Harry has been so keen to tell his story, to bear his soul.
“But the vast majority of people have had enough of it.”
He added that one of the issues surrounding the Coronation is whether or not there will be protests should Harry and Meghan attend, particularly the Duchess.
The former royal editor asked: “Will there be public anger expressed against them. We know there are going to be demonstrations by the republican movement… It’s not impossible that there would be insults shouted at Harry and Meghan.
“It really is a complicated business, but their standing in this country has now fallen.
“They’re extremely unpopular. They have a minus popularity rating in such polls as we’re able to read about them so a lot of people really won’t be very welcoming when they come here.”
Mr Ewart, asked what Harry and Meghan have reportedly requested ahead of the Coronation, said “status and respect”.
He added: “What we need to remember in this mess – [which is] at the moment is threatening to overshadow the Coronation – what we need to remember is Harry is still fifth in line to the throne.
“For everything that’s happened he is still a senior royal so there are issues over the way he’s treated and the way that he’s protected when he and his wife, possibly – although she may not come – when they come, if they come, to the Coronation.”
Mr Ewart said a “sore point” will be what security Harry will be provided as well as whether he will be included in the carriage procession, appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and where he will sit during the Coronation ceremony.
He added: “There is still a lot to discuss. My sense is that the Palace has extended the invitation and they’re now able to say, ‘Look guys, the ball is in your court. If you don’t want to come, let us know. If you do want to come, you’re going to have to play by our rules’.”
A spokesperson for Harry said earlier this month the Sussexes have received an invitation to King Charles’s Coronation but would not yet confirm publicly whether they will attend.
They said: “I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation.
“An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.”
