Prince Harry's favourability among the British public has risen to 33%, up six points from 27% a year ago, according to the latest YouGov poll tracker — even as he faces a legal bill running into the millions from a court defeat against the Daily Mail's publisher.

The YouGov figures, published on 30 July 2026, show negative opinions of the Duke of Sussex falling from 62% to 58% over the same period. His wife, Meghan Markle, saw her favourable rating rise three points to 22%. The poll also records close to two-thirds of British respondents supporting the retention of the monarchy, with Prince Andrew ranking least popular at just 2% favourable. (HELLO!)

The uptick comes at a costly moment for Harry legally. On 29 July 2026, he and several co-claimants lost a privacy case against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The publisher's total legal bill came to £34.5 million ($45.8 million), and the claimants now face a combined bill of more than £18 million. (Reuters; BBC)

Associated Newspapers has sought an interim payment of £1.3 million from Harry and the other claimants. The claimants had argued that the publisher exceeded its approved costs by over £18.6 million. Adding to the financial pressure, the claimants' insurance may not fully cover Associated Newspapers' legal costs due to a shortfall. (Reuters; The Guardian; BBC)

The poll numbers mark a gradual recovery for Harry, whose popularity with the British public has been declining since 2017, when he became engaged to Meghan. He has not been a working royal since stepping back from duties in 2020. (HELLO!)

YouGov's own royal family trackers show the trajectory: Harry sat at 31% favourable in January 2026 and dipped slightly to 30% in April before the current 33% reading. The Duke of Sussex ranks 11th in YouGov's British Royal Family popularity ratings. Across the Atlantic, he fares considerably better — 56% of Americans hold a favourable view, against 21% negative. (YouGov, January 2026; YouGov, April 2026; The Hill)

HELLO! magazine's royal contributor Tracy Schaverien suggested the uptick could be connected to Harry's efforts to reconcile with his father. Harry flew back to the UK in 2024 for a face-to-face meeting with King Charles after the monarch disclosed his cancer diagnosis. They met again in September 2025, when Buckingham Palace confirmed a private tea at Clarence House during Harry's brief return. (HELLO!)

Whether a six-point poll bounce and a private cup of tea with the King will offset an eight-figure legal bill is a question the figures leave open. What they do show is a public gradually softening toward a prince who has spent six years outside the royal fold — even as the costs of his battles with the press land squarely on him.