Prince Harry has seen a significant increase in public support for his potential return to Royal duties, according to a new poll.
A survey by Ipsos reveals that a third of Britons would now back the Duke of Sussex’s permanent return to official working royal life.
The change represents a notable shift in public opinion over the past six months, with support rising from 25 per cent in March to 34 per cent this month – a 36 per cent increase.
The findings, which have been published on the same day Harry turns 40-years-old, have been noted by royal watchers who believe the duke’s more conciliatory approach towards the Royal Family this year may be starting to resonate with the British public, as he seeks to strengthen ties back in the UK.
Royal author Margaret Holder commented on the shift in public opinion: “The fact Harry has not continued with the grievance industry is helpful.
“His work on Invictus is popular and his tours to Nigeria and Colombia may have played well with the public.”
Prince Harry’s return to the Royal Family is backed by more than a third of the British publicPA
Holder added that whilst Harry has not publicly apologised for criticising the Royal Family in the media, “he does appear to be keeping on the straight and narrow.”
Despite the surge in support, over 60 per cent of the public remain opposed to or undecided about Harry’s potential comeback. The significant increase in support comes amid the Duke’s recent public engagements and a less outwardly confrontational stance towards the Royal Family.
In May, the King’s youngest son returned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an event that has garnered widespread support. He also attended his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’s memorial service in August without controversy.
Additionally, in what appears to be an olive branch to the Royal Family, Harry announced last month that the paperback edition of his memoir “Spare” would not be updated with new revelations.
Prince Harry has calmed his public attacks on the Royal Family in recent months
PA
The Duke is also understood to have been engaging in brainstorming sessions with British associates, exploring ideas for “positive change” in his life. The long-distance conversations, conducted from his California home, aim to lay foundations for future “big plans”.
One key figure in Harry’s efforts to reconnect is Nick Loughran, the right-hand man of his old friend, Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster.
Loughran, a former senior media adviser at Kensington Palace, met with Harry in May and has since provided guidance on the Prince’s path to public popularity.
A well-placed source told The Mail on Sunday: “Harry values Nick’s informal guidance on forward-looking, positive stuff.”
The Duke also maintains contact with Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a former royal private secretary, and Ed Lane Fox, who previously led Harry’s public image recovery.
These connections suggest Harry is “re-engaging in his former life”, a source added to the Mail on Sunday, stating: “The ball is in Harry’s court now”.
The Ipsos poll, which surveyed 1,097 British adults between September 6 and 9, also provided insights into the broader Royal Family’s popularity.
The Princess of Wales remains the most favoured royal, with 66 per cent of the public holding a positive view of her.
Prince William follows closely at 65 per cent, while Princess Anne maintains her position as the third most popular royal at 62 per cent.
King Charles’s approval rating remains stable at 56 per cent, unchanged since April.
Queen Camilla’s favourability has risen slightly to 41 per cent, up from 38 per cent around the Coronation in May 2023.