Americans Have Chosen Their Favorite Diana Son — And The Result Is Surprising
For years, Prince William and Prince Harry have been compared as the two sons of the late Princess Diana, with both brothers developing very different public identities. Now, fresh polling and public-opinion data have renewed interest in which of Diana’s sons has the stronger connection with Americans. One 2025 YouGov survey reported that William had a 63% positive rating among Americans, compared with 56% for Harry.
The figures are particularly interesting because Harry has maintained a strong connection with the United States since moving to California with Meghan Markle. His interviews, documentaries, memoir and public appearances have kept him firmly in the American spotlight. Yet the polling suggests that visibility does not necessarily translate into greater overall popularity.
William, meanwhile, has largely taken a very different approach. As Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, he has continued to emphasize royal duties, public service and his future role within the monarchy. His more traditional path appears to have resonated with a significant portion of the American public.
The connection to Diana also remains an important part of the brothers’ identities. William and Harry were only young teenagers when their mother died in 1997, and both have spoken publicly over the years about the profound effect her death had on their lives. Diana’s influence can still be seen in the way both brothers approach family, charity and public life.
Their relationship with their mother’s legacy has also taken different forms. William has incorporated elements of Diana’s humanitarian outlook into his own public work, while Harry has repeatedly spoken about his memories of his mother and his determination to preserve her legacy for his own children.
Diana’s popularity in the United States remains remarkably strong decades after her death. Her ability to connect with ordinary people, her humanitarian work and her highly publicized life continue to attract enormous interest. That enduring fascination inevitably extends to the two sons she left behind.
The brothers’ contrasting lives have also fueled endless debate. William remained inside the institution, gradually taking on greater responsibilities as the future King. Harry chose a different route, stepping back from his senior royal role and building a new life in the United States with Meghan.
For some Americans, William represents stability, duty and continuity. For others, Harry represents independence and the courage to walk away from an institution he felt no longer suited his family. Those competing images have helped create one of the most closely watched rivalries within the modern royal family.
It is important, however, not to treat every online poll as a definitive measure of American opinion. Social-media polls can attract highly engaged audiences and may not represent the wider population. The strongest evidence comes from established polling organizations using transparent methodology, which is why the YouGov figures provide a more useful indication than an unverified viral online vote.
Ultimately, the fascination with William and Harry goes far beyond a simple popularity contest. They are Diana’s two sons, raised together but now living dramatically different lives. As the anniversary of Diana’s death approaches and renewed attention focuses on her legacy, Americans are once again being reminded of the two boys she left behind—and the very different men they have become.