The dynamic world of TikTok has become a digital arena for discussions about the royals, with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry taking center stage in terms of popularity and conversation. However, recent research conducted by the social media intelligence platform Hootsuite, commissioned by Newsweek, indicates that the TikTok community holds a distinct favorability towards Kate Middleton over the Duchess of Sussex.
Hootsuite’s study delved into the sentiments of TikTok users regarding the two royal couples, revealing intriguing insights into the virtual conversations revolving around Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
According to Eileen Kwok, a social marketing specialist, the couple comprised of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry emerges as the most talked-about on TikTok. However, the tone of conversation around them tends to be predominantly negative, with users expressing criticism about various aspects of their relationship and public presence.
Kwok also pointed out that while the hashtag #HarryAndMeghan has garnered approximately 5 million views, the hashtag #WilliamAndKate has generated around 715,000 views. This trend suggests that TikTok users are actively comparing the two couples, often aligning themselves with one side or the other in these virtual debates.
Comments sections on videos related to the royal family have become heated spaces where TikTok users passionately discuss topics ranging from the behavior and fashion choices of the royals to their interactions and appearances.
Hootsuite’s research spanned over a month, analyzing the number of posts discussing each of the royal figures. Notably, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle each received around 6,000 posts, while Kate Middleton had 5,000 posts. However, when it comes to views, Prince Harry led the pack with a staggering 13 billion, followed by Prince William with 11 billion, and Meghan Markle with 11 billion. Kate Middleton garnered 10 billion views.
TikTok’s search bar associations revealed interesting patterns. Kate Middleton was often linked with keywords like “tennis,” “rude,” “paparazzi,” and “coronation,” reflecting the varied nature of discussions. Prince William’s associations included keywords like “young” and “Kate,” highlighting the positive light in which he is perceived.
On the other hand, Meghan Markle’s associations included keywords such as “divorce,” “prince harry,” “being rude,” “narcissistic,” and “awkward.” Interestingly, the term “divorce” was associated with unfounded rumors about the couple’s marriage. Prince Harry was linked to keywords like “Meghan,” “divorce,” “court case,” and “audiobook.”
While discussions about the royals on TikTok span a wide spectrum, including criticism and support, the research also highlighted positive videos related to Meghan Markle. Ellen DeGeneres, for instance, posted throwback videos featuring the Duchess of Sussex on her show, garnering significant likes from the audience.
In the ever-evolving landscape of TikTok, where opinions can be strong and diverse, it is clear that each royal figure sparks a unique set of reactions from the platform’s users.
