In a bombshell revelation sending shockwaves through royal watchers, it has emerged that Queen Elizabeth II held a far more scathing opinion of Meghan Markle than previously believed—one she quietly voiced before her death in 2022.
According to royal biographer and journalist Sally Bedell Smith, the late monarch didn’t mince words when it came to Prince Harry’s wife. Behind palace doors, Queen Elizabeth reportedly referred to Harry meeting Meghan as a “complete catastrophe.”
This shocking claim comes from Smith’s latest insider account, where she writes that the Queen, typically known for her diplomacy and restraint, broke character to express her regret about how events had unfolded with the Sussexes.
“At the drinks before the dinner, a small group were talking to the Monarch and she explained that Harry meeting Meghan had become a ‘complete catastrophe,’” Smith revealed. The moment was candid, unfiltered, and utterly damning.
By this point, Queen Elizabeth’s health was visibly declining. Those around her knew her time was limited. And yet, it appears that even in her final months, the impact of Harry and Meghan’s departure was weighing heavily on her mind.
What stunned royal insiders the most was how direct the Queen had been. Smith added, “It was out of character for the Queen… but she saw straight through Meghan.” A statement that many say confirms what some palace aides had long suspected.
Her Majesty’s regret appears to stem not just from personal disappointment, but from the lasting damage caused to the monarchy’s reputation and unity following the Sussexes’ very public exit.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle famously stepped down from royal duties in 2020, later accusing unnamed royal family members of racism and airing a long list of grievances in a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The Queen issued a carefully worded response at the time, saying “recollections may vary,” a line that became instantly iconic for its calm yet subtly skeptical tone.
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But now it seems Her Majesty’s private views were far more pointed. Her reference to Meghan’s arrival as a “catastrophe” signals a deep sense of disappointment—both as a monarch and a grandmother.
Harry and Meghan now live in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While they continue to pursue media projects and humanitarian work, their ties to the Royal Family remain fractured at best.
This latest revelation raises new questions about whether reconciliation is even possible. If the Queen—known for forgiveness and steadiness—felt this strongly, one can only imagine the sentiments held by other royals behind closed doors.
Prince William and King Charles have reportedly kept their distance from the Sussexes, especially following the publication of Harry’s memoir Spare, which contained several pointed attacks against senior royals.
For many, Queen Elizabeth’s quiet but sharp assessment now feels like a tragic confirmation that the damage may be irreversible. Her words, though shared discreetly, carry immense weight.
Even after her passing, the Queen’s legacy looms large. And now, her final opinion on one of the most dramatic chapters in royal history may cast a long shadow on any future reconciliation efforts.
Whether Harry and Meghan will ever fully return to the royal fold remains uncertain. But this insider glimpse into the Queen’s heart suggests that the wounds left behind may be deeper than the public ever imagined.
