Harry, Meghan at Charles’ coronation turnoff to one-fifth of U.K. watchers

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Harry and Meghan are turning out to be royal TV turnoffs.

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A new study of 2,000 respondents by streaming service WatchTVAbroad.com says 21% of people in the U.K. are less likely to watch King Charles’ coronation if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the May 6 ceremony, with 12% prepared to switch off entirely.

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The increasingly unpopular couple, who stepped down from official royal duties three years ago and later moved to California, were recently invited by e-mail to Charles’ big day at Westminster Abbey and it has yet to be revealed if they will attend.

Along gender lines, the study showed 24% of men viewed Harry and Meghan’s appearance at the coronation negatively compared to 18% of women.

And 13% of men said they would not even watch the TV broadcast if the couple were there compared to 10% of women.

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Viewers in Cardiff, Wales proved to be the biggest naysayers, with 33% claiming the couple’s appearance would put them off watching the crowning of King Charles III, and 23% said they would miss it altogether.

The most forgiving age group were the over 55-year-olds, with 25% saying if Harry and Meghan appeared it would make them less likely to watch, with 15% refusing to watch at all.

When it came to royal watchers who tuned in for all of the Queen’s funeral, 8% said an appearance by the Sussexes would be enough to make them nix watching the coronation.

Alternatively, 43% of those aged 16-24 and 47% of those aged 25-34 said they would be more inclined to watch if Harry and Meghan were present, compared with 29% across the U.K.