Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public image may have taken such a hit that actors are refusing to portray them, according to renowned photographer and performance artist Alison Jackson. Jackson, 65, a BAFTA-winning photographer known for her satirical work using celebrity lookalikes, is preparing to stage a new show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this month.
However, she says she’s struggling to cast lookalikes for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. According to The Daily Mail, Jackson revealed that despite plans to include Meghan and Harry in her production, she has been unable to find performers willing to take on the roles—allegedly due to their growing unpopularity.
“I have a couple of ‘Prince Williams‘ who’ve come forward and they look quite good, but no ‘Meghan’ or ‘Harry’ has turned up,” she said. Jackson, who often explores the boundaries of celebrity culture through her work, suggested that public sentiment has turned sharply against the royal couple.
“I think that people don’t like Meghan, they don’t trust her, and they think she’s an operator who sucks everything she can out of Prince Harry,” she added. The photographer also theorized that actors prefer to play public figures they admire or relate to, and the Sussexes no longer fit that profile for many.
“As Meghan Markle gets more and more assertive, the lookalikes disappear,” Jackson said. “They’ve probably all cut their hair short and look different.” The couple, who now reside in California with their two children after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, have faced increasing public criticism and media scrutiny in recent years.
Their series of interviews, media ventures, and Harry’s memoir Spare have polarized public opinion, particularly in the United Kingdom. Jackson’s comments have added fuel to ongoing discussions about the Sussexes’ diminished popularity and perceived overexposure.
While the couple remains influential in certain circles and continues to pursue philanthropic and business projects, their standing with the British public and broader media appears to have waned. Alison Jackson’s Fringe production is expected to offer her signature brand of satirical commentary on modern celebrity and royal life.
However, the absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lookalikes may mark a symbolic shift in how they are perceived—even by performers. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which begins later this month, draws performers and audiences from across the globe. Whether Jackson is able to fill the royal roles remains to be seen, but her remarks already suggest a notable chill toward the once high-profile couple.