A royal historian has shared a stark perspective on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s private feelings regarding the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. According to accounts, the monarch reportedly viewed their introduction as a “complete catastrophe.”
The claim stems from conversations with the Queen’s cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, relayed by historian Sally Bedell Smith. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were publicly believed to have maintained a warm rapport with the Queen before her passing in 2022, this narrative suggests a more complicated private reality.
Anson reportedly described the initial meeting with the former actress as positive, noting she appeared charming, intelligent, and thoughtful. However, a shift was allegedly perceived following the couple’s 2017 engagement. Anson characterized Meghan’s demeanor as becoming “bossy,” a change that purportedly left the ailing Queen “very worried” in her final months.
This reported tension adds another layer to the couple’s well-documented decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and relocate to the United States. In subsequent interviews and media projects, they have cited a lack of institutional support and a hostile media environment as primary reasons for their departure. They have alleged a system where negative press was not adequately countered by palace communications.
Since their move, the duke has remained largely estranged from the rest of the royal family. The couple’s revelations about their experiences have continued to fuel public discussion about the inner workings of the monarchy and its relationship with the press.
