Just over three years ago, Harry and Meghan were met with ecstatic scenes on their first joint official engagement – and looked set to eclipse in popularity every royal who had gone before them.
The couple were greeted by streets lined with well-wishers as they visited Nottingham to mark World Aids Day in December 2017.
We returned there yesterday after the Oprah interview – and found that while some people were shocked and disappointed by their revelations, others said it made them admire the couple even more.
A YouGov poll found Britons are split, with 32% believing they were treated fairly, and 32% unfairly, by the Royal Family.
Another 36% didn’t know.
Opinion is also split by age – 50% of over 65s think the couple were treated fairly, but 61% of 18-24s think they weren’t.
We also spoke to tourists outside Buckingham Palace.
Nottingham
Irene Hardman, 85, royal fan
“I met Harry and Meghan on their visit to Nottingham.
"My friends and I stood there for four hours for them.
“Both of them were charming and lovely.
"They stood with us for ages chatting with us.
"Meghan even put her arms around me, she was so grateful.
What is your view? Have your say in the comments section
"Now Harry just seems like another person, and that breaks my heart.
All families have confrontations but they get over it and resolve their problems and move on.
“If they didn’t like it here and wanted to move to America, that’s fair enough and I wish them well.
"Why couldn’t they leave it at that? Why did he let that interview happen?
"If I met him again that’s what I’d ask him.”
Pete Hopwell, 49, brewery operations manager
“I’ve always liked the Royal Family, I’m quite patriotic like that.
"But Harry’s gone way down in my estimations.
"I understand where he’s coming from, that he could see something happening similar to what went on with his mum.
"But to fall out with his father over it, and he didn’t really want to talk about his brother either, it’s all a bit shameful.
"I don’t think the Royal family should start defending themselves either.
"They shouldn’t react.”
Tamara Abdat, 20, English and history student
“It’s really unfair the way Meghan has been treated.
"I think they should be allowed their own privacy, and obviously there are serious allegations of racism which they were right to bring up and should be looked at.
“But I think they did the interview looking for public sympathy instead of wanting to address the issues.
"They went about it the wrong way.”
Kayleigh Rice, 32, ambulance control room operator
“Harry is doing his best for his family, he’s looking after his wife like any adult would do in a relationship.
"What they said about Archie’s skin colour was quite shocking but if that was said it is a serious thing and will have to be investigated.“
Christine Nkechika, 19, applied science student
“I just feel for Meghan.
"She just wanted to be accepted and they didn’t give her a chance.
"Harry has now gone up in my estimations.
"To fall in love with a black woman, and fall out of the hundreds of years old routine.
"They did something no-one else in the Royal family would even dare think of, which was to speak out."
Adam Nowak, 41, advanced clinic practitioner, Queen’s Medical Centre
“I’m not really that bothered if I’m honest.
"They’ve chosen to withdraw from public life and that’s fine, and racism is everywhere in society unfortunately, so I’m not surprised there’s a bit of it in an old institution like the Royal family. “
Buckingham Palace
Bill Butler, 62, from Windsor
“I just wish they wouldn’t air their dirty laundry in public.
"Every family has stuff but I wish they would just keep it private.
"I don’t think the family is racist with all the work they do around the world with the Commonwealth."
Rikita Shah, 31, of Washington, US
“The Royal family appears to be run more like a company than a family.
"I hope they can heal their internal rifts.
“It sounds very complicated and we have only heard one side of the story.
"Who knows what will happen but them taking a break from stuff is a good step for them.”
Karen Beaton, 56, from Windsor
“I do have a certain amount of sympathy for Meghan and maybe it has not been that easy for her.
"But I do think there’s bigger things to be worried about right now.
“People are losing their jobs.
"I know people who are desperate – they have lost their jobs, they are on furlough and struggling to pay the rent.
“I hope the Palace stays quiet and dignified, and I’m hopeful the Royals’ global reputation will recover.
“The Royals are loved the world over and people are quite jealous that we have these.”
Rhys McKee, 25, from Belfast
“I think it is very brave from them both to go on air.
"Their life is so under the limelight and I don’t think they pulled any punches.
“The claims about Archie’s skin colour is such a scary comment that it’s hard to believe that its in the realms of possibility that it was said.
“It’s extremely sad for Meghan and Harry if that conversation did take place.
“I am sure there is no smoke without fire and something was said.
"It’s brutally disgusting.
“I wouldn’t expect Harry to be on best friend terms with his brother and father after that was released.
"But I really don’t think Harry and Meghan are in a place in their life where they care too much.
"I don’t think they are walking on eggshells anymore.”
Twin sisters Asia and Aisha Falhi, 19, from Venice, Italy
“It’s embarrassing.
"We are in 2021 and we shouldn’t be looking at people’s skin colours.
“The specific person should apologise for what they said.
"I don’t know who it is but I think a lot of elders are more closed minded and it’s harder for them to change.
"It takes time.”
Peter Krol, 30, from Walthamstow
“I would like to think the Royal family is not racist but I am confused.
"I am not clear what I think but I hope they are not.
“I think the Royal family should address this – they should say something.”
He said that claims she was not supported when she went to them with suicidal thoughts were “terrible”.
He added: “I think if that was true then that’s awful.
"Even people in prison get the help they need.
"That was the worst of it.
“I think all these questions should be answered.
"I think all sides should be heard.”
