The private exchange reportedly occurred during a period of mounting tension between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family — particularly Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The Queen’s Reported Concerns About Meghan

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith revealed earlier this year that the late Queen Elizabeth II had expressed doubts about Meghan ahead of the royal wedding. According to excerpts published on Royals Extra Substack, the Queen confided her concerns to her close friend and party planner, Lady Elizabeth Anson.

Lady Elizabeth recalled that Her Majesty — whom she affectionately called “Jemima” — was uncertain about Meghan’s intentions. “The Number One Lady, I call her Jemima, says the jury is out on whether she likes Meghan,” Lady Elizabeth said. “My Jemima is very worried.”

She also claimed the Queen mentioned that “Meghan and William and Kate are not working well,” adding that it was “particularly about the two girls.”

Longstanding Rift and Oprah Revelations

The royal rift deepened soon after the wedding, following reports that Meghan had left Catherine in tears during a bridesmaid dress fitting for Princess Charlotte. However, in her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan disputed that account, claiming it was Catherine who made her cry and later sent flowers to apologise.

In the same interview, Meghan and Harry alleged that a senior royal had “expressed concerns” about “how dark” their unborn son Archie’s skin might be — a claim that sent shockwaves through the monarchy.

A Family Divided

The couple’s move to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to Montecito, California, marked the start of their new life away from royal obligations. Today, they live there with their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.

The last time Harry and Meghan were publicly seen alongside William and Catherine was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022 — a reminder of just how far the once close-knit brothers have drifted apart.