New insights have emerged regarding how the late Queen Elizabeth II may have felt about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to speak publicly about their experience within the royal family — most notably during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
According to sources close to the royal household, the Queen viewed the televised interview, which aired while Prince Philip was gravely ill, as a personal and public betrayal. Prince Philip passed away just over a month later, in April 2021.
The interview included several explosive claims, including allegations that someone within the royal family had raised concerns about the skin tone of the couple’s unborn child, Archie. At the time, Buckingham Palace responded with a carefully worded statement: “While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
Insiders say the Queen was troubled not only by the accusation itself, but by the way it cast suspicion on the entire royal family. One former courtier claimed the fallout left a lasting mark: “To her, it was unthinkable to accuse an unnamed family member of racism and leave it hanging over everyone. That’s why she personally insisted on the ‘recollections may vary’ line.”
Tensions reportedly remained high in the months that followed. A second source recalled the Queen’s frustration over the naming of Harry and Meghan’s daughter, Lilibet, which was also her private family nickname. Though the Sussexes claimed they consulted her beforehand, palace aides disputed that account at the time. “She was as upset as I’d ever seen her,” one former staffer told royal biographer Robert Hardman.
Toward the end of her life, as the Queen dealt with serious illness, insiders suggest she felt increasingly isolated from her grandson. One acquaintance said the situation was “utterly devastating” for her.
A new rift — and the possibility of reconciliation?
The broader royal family also struggled with the strain, with some relatives reportedly blaming Meghan for the couple’s decision to step away from royal duties and share their story so publicly. A friend of Prince William suggested that many within the family saw echoes of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson — a relationship that led to abdication and eventual exile in the 1930s.
Despite ongoing tensions, there are signs that Prince Harry may be seeking a way forward. Reports suggest he is considering making a solo trip back to the UK to reconnect with his family and potentially repair some of the damage.
According to one insider, Harry has accepted that navigating family issues without Meghan may be the only realistic option at the moment. “He’s not happy about it, but he sees that her presence only complicates things. If there’s any chance to fix what’s broken, it might have to start with him alone.”
Whether this leads to meaningful reconciliation remains uncertain. But the idea of Prince Harry returning to the royal fold — even partially — is no longer off the table.