Despite Meghan Markle‘s eventual departure from royal duties, she was reportedly welcomed into the family with open arms by Queen Elizabeth. But according to insiders, it wasn’t long before the late monarch began to second-guess the duchess’ behavior. Elizabeth even went so far as to use a dismissive four-letter word to describe Meghan.
Queen Elizabeth broke royal rules for Meghan Markle
According to royal expert Richard Eden, Queen Elizabeth went out of her way to make Meghan Markle feel at home. From the get-go, she broke the rules for the American actor following her 2017 engagement to Prince Harry.
Eden writes, “While other women who had married into the Windsors, such as Kate Middleton and Sophie Rhys-Jones, had to wait until after their weddings to be invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham, Meghan was allowed to join Harry in 2017, five months before the big day. It was an unprecedented and highly personal gesture by the Queen.”
“Courtiers say the Queen believed that Meghan – a divorced, mixed-race American actress – would be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the Monarchy. However, she was soon surprised at some of Meghan’s actions.
“Her Majesty was also taken aback at the divorcee’s choice of a white bridal gown for what was her second wedding. But it was Meghan’s attitude towards her headwear that gave the Queen more serious cause for concern,” Eden writes.
“Something later went badly wrong, however. When Meghan tried to arrange a fitting with the queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, who, it seems, did not like the manner in which she was being treated by the bride and groom.”
In another gesture, Meghan was given the role of royal patron of the National Theatre and named Vice-President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust in 2018 per Eden. He said, “I have spoken to staff who worked at the Palace when the Sussexes were working royals. Some of them have told me that they formed the impression from the start that Meghan may not have wanted to make a success of her life in Britain.”
Meghan Markle was reportedly once called ‘evil’ by Queen Elizabeth
The Spectator reports that much of the palace’s view of Meghan Markle is clouded by the words of the late Queen Elizabeth. Reporter Kara Kennedy claims “The personal feelings of the late queen loom large.”
According to the report, Elizabeth “saw through Meghan Markle” and called the former actor “evil.” This interaction reportedly occurred during a reception the queen once hosted at Balmoral.
“At the drinks before the dinner, a small group was talking to the monarch. She explained that Harry meeting Meghan had become a complete catastrophe and described her as evil.”
The statement concluded; “By this point, we all knew the Queen’s health was in decline and she had months left. She seemed regretful about how things had panned out.”
Was Meghan and the queen’s relationship always tense?
Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth appeared to have a close relationship from the start. Outwardly, it looked as if Elizabeth ensured Meghan’s transition into the royal family was smooth.
After years of criticism as to how outsiders were not helped by royal family members to adjust, it seemed the royals were making a concerted effort to ensure Meghan was embraced by the clan. However, according to Meghan, she was unhappy with the support she received from the House of Windsor.
Meghan describes her royal life as one of isolation, control, and intense scrutiny. She told Oprah Winfrey she had to give up her passport, keys, and driver’s license. She had to ask permission to do things like meet her friends for lunch.
Frustrated, Harry and Meghan asked the queen if they could work out an arrangement where they worked for the crown in a part-time capacity. She denied that request.
Harry and Meghan subsequently made a complete break from the palace, announcing in March 2020 they were stepping down from their royal roles. A week later, the queen released a statement.
“Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family. I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years. I support their wish for a more independent life.”
Meghan Markle lives with Prince Harry in California. They are parents to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
