Meghan Markle's U.S. Popularity and Business Struggle Align in Early 2026

Why It Matters

It's not just about public opinion anymore—Meghan Markle's brand is facing real economic pressure. While she's long been a media darling, her current trajectory shows a clear dip in both popularity and web traffic for her online business venture As Ever. What's behind this? And how might it affect her future?

"The numbers don't lie—there's a clear correlation between declining public sentiment and reduced digital engagement," said a digital analytics expert who reviewed the data.

I've followed Meghan's journey since her early days in the royal family, but it's only recently that I've seen the cracks in her brand strategy become apparent. What was once a strong narrative around authenticity and activism has now been overshadowed by a growing sense of disconnect from the American public.

Meghan Markle's Popularity Trends in Q1 2026

According to YouGov's rolling Ratings system, Meghan's net approval rating in early 2026 was just +2, a dramatic drop from her third-quarter 2025 score of +15. That's a 13-point decline over just two quarters—something that's hard to ignore when you're tracking public sentiment as closely as we do.

• In Q3 2025: Liked by 37%, Disliked by 22% (Net +15)
• Q1 2026: Liked by 29%, Disliked by 27% (Net +2)

This is not a minor blip. It's a shift in the cultural narrative around her—especially in the United States, where she's been trying to build a brand from scratch since stepping back from royal duties.

As Ever Traffic Falls in Sync with Declining Popularity

When we look at web traffic for As Ever, a similar pattern emerges. From December 2025 to April 2026, U.S. visits to her site declined significantly:

• December 2025: 108,000 U.S. visits
• January 2026: 89,000 U.S. visits (despite overall increase in total visits)
• February 2026: 83,500 U.S. visits
• March 2026: 94,000 U.S. visits
• April 2026: 61,500 U.S. visits

That's a drop of more than 45,000 U.S. visitors in just four months—hardly an isolated incident. It also comes with a troubling context: As Ever only ships to the United States currently, which makes this data especially telling.

Anatomy of a Struggling Brand

So what's going on here? There are several theories. First, let's consider how her brand is positioned in a highly saturated market. She's not just competing with other lifestyle influencers—she's competing with decades of royal legacy and the public's shifting relationship with royalty itself.

There's also the question of consumer behavior. While she has built an impressive digital presence, the conversion rate from visitors to customers may be underperforming. In fact, a website glitch in January revealed she had around 650,190 units of unsold inventory—a stark reminder that popularity doesn't always translate into profit.

The Cultural Moment

Meghan's brand is being tested not just by numbers, but by timing. The year 2026 has been a challenging one for her, especially after her recent international tour and public appearances that were widely interpreted as attempts to reassert her relevance.

Yet despite these efforts, the data points to something deeper: the American public is beginning to distance itself from the persona she's built over the last few years. This isn't just about negative sentiment—it's a reflection of a changing cultural moment where people are more selective about who they engage with online and in person.

What Comes Next for Meghan?

The future of As Ever hinges on how quickly she can regain trust, especially in the U.S. market. If her team continues to see this kind of decline, it could lead to a reevaluation of both marketing strategy and brand direction.

I've always been curious about how public figures pivot when their brand starts to feel stale. For Meghan, that moment may be coming sooner than many expect. If she wants to rebuild her influence—and her business—she'll have to look beyond just what's trending and into what resonates with her audience on a deeper level.

"Meghan's story is far from over, but it's clear that she needs a new chapter—one that speaks directly to the evolving American consciousness," said a marketing strategist familiar with her brand strategy.

As for what lies ahead, I'll be watching closely. The next few months could define whether As Ever becomes a sustainable brand or another example of a once-influential figure losing traction in an increasingly competitive landscape.