Queen Elizabeth II privately expressed grave reservations about Meghan Markle before her death in September 2022. According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, the late Queen described Prince Harry meeting Meghan as a “complete catastrophe” during conversations at Balmoral Castle.
Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queen’s cousin and confidante, recalled the monarch expressing concerns about the relationship by early 2019. Despite these private doubts, Elizabeth maintained public support, stating the Sussexes would “always be much loved members” of her family in official statements.
Queen Elizabeth’s Final Reflections
According to accounts from The Spectator, Queen Elizabeth II attributed significant blame for the family rupture to Meghan Markle in her final months. Sources claim the late Queen expressed frustration with Meghan’s influence on Prince Harry, particularly regarding his 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties.
The Queen allegedly viewed the couple’s initial proposal for a “half-in, half-out” royal role as fundamentally threatening to the monarchy’s stability. Royal confidantes reported that Elizabeth considered Meghan’s demands “cruel” and saw straight through her public presentation, remaining out of character in her criticism of the Duchess.
Queen Camilla’s Documented Opposition
Queen Camilla has maintained a consistent skeptical stance regarding Meghan Markle since their earliest interactions. Royal author Tom Bower’s book Revenge documents Camilla’s early doubts, while sources indicate her concerns extend to broader institutional implications of any Sussexes’ return.
According to reports from May 2025, Camilla perceives the Sussexes’ presence as potentially destabilizing to the monarchy’s image. Her position reportedly remains firm against rapid or unconditional reconciliation efforts between family members.
Charles Reaches Out
In September 2025, King Charles met privately with Prince Harry at Clarence House for approximately 50-55 minutes—their first face-to-face encounter in over nineteen months. This represented the most significant direct engagement between father and son since Harry’s visit in February 2024, which lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Following the September meeting, sources indicated Charles expressed warmth toward his son, with Harry later telling reporters his father is “great.” The meeting marked a meaningful attempt at engagement, though significant obstacles remained unresolved.
Camilla’s Long-Standing Skepticism
Queen Camilla harbored doubts about Meghan Markle from their earliest interactions. During a July 2018 visit to Balmoral Castle, just two months after the royal wedding, Camilla reportedly expressed concerns about the relationship.
Royal author Tom Bower’s Revenge documents that Camilla questioned aspects of the couple’s dynamics and Meghan’s alignment with royal expectations. These early assessments shaped Camilla’s subsequent positions and reportedly influenced her current stance on reconciliation possibilities.
The Accurate Timeline of Family Rupture
The documented royal family rift has lasted approximately five years since Harry and Meghan’s January 2020 announcement of stepping back as senior working royals. Media tensions and public controversy intensified around their 2018 wedding.
Prince William and Prince Harry were last observed together at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022, walking side by side in the funeral procession, with no documented direct communication confirmed since that time. Understanding the correct timeline is essential for accurately assessing the scope and duration of family complications.
Private Versus Public Royal Responses
The royal family has maintained distinct public and private positions regarding the Sussexes throughout the crisis. Official statements have emphasized family unity; private perspectives vary significantly among senior royals.
Buckingham Palace has issued limited formal statements on reconciliation matters, primarily addressing specific issues such as security arrangements. This approach reflects traditional royal protocol, emphasizing discretion while managing complex family and institutional matters.
Institutional Barriers to Reconciliation
The Sussexes face institutional obstacles that extend beyond individual family relationships. In November 2025, palace sources confirmed that Harry and Meghan will not receive invitations to the British royal family’s planned participation in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
Officials stated the exclusion reflects the couple’s non-working royal status and established protocol for such state occasions. These institutional decisions demonstrate ongoing formal barriers to the Sussexes’ integration into official royal functions.
Harry’s Reconciliation Desires Complicated by Security Demands
Prince Harry has publicly stated his desire for family reconciliation. In a May 2025 BBC interview, he expressed openness to healing family relationships and concern for his father’s health. However, these reconciliation efforts have been complicated by escalating security disputes and demands.
According to reports from August and September 2025, Harry has issued specific demands ahead of any potential UK reunion, including requirements for full government security funding and formal royal treatment for Meghan.
Security Appeal Triggers Royal Fury
In October 2025, Prince Harry revived his security fight by formally appealing to the Home Office without prior consultation with King Charles or the palace. According to reports, Harry lodged an official request with Home Office Minister Shabana Mahmood and the Rave Protection Committee, effectively circumventing royal family channels.
The Cosmopolitan reported that Charles felt “betrayed” by this unilateral action, with sources indicating the King was “furious” and “exhausted” by his son’s approach.
Harry’s “Meghan Clause” and Treatment Demands
According to reports from August 2025, Prince Harry has included specific conditions regarding Meghan’s royal treatment in his list of demands for reconciliation. Sources indicate Harry insists Meghan must be treated as a member of the royal family, complete with formal protocols including bows and curtsies.
The demands reportedly include full HRH treatment despite the couple’s non-working royal status. These conditions have reportedly been viewed by palace officials as impractical and indicative of Harry’s unwillingness to accept the institutional reality of his and Meghan’s position.
Meghan’s Stated Boundaries Regarding Queen Camilla
In October 2025, reports indicated that Meghan Markle has stated she will not attend royal events if Queen Camilla is present. According to palace insiders, Meghan characterized this as establishing a personal boundary, though royal observers view it as a practical barrier to meaningful reconciliation.
This condition reportedly complicates Harry’s separate efforts to rebuild ties with his father and the broader royal family. The Duchess’s position reflects her unwillingness to engage directly with senior palace figures opposed to reconciliation.
Prince William and Prince Harry’s Extended Separation
Prince Harry’s relationship with his brother William remains severely strained, with no confirmed direct communication since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022—a separation spanning over three years. This represents one of the longest periods without contact between the brothers in their adult lives.
The two brothers represent differing perspectives on royal duties, media engagement, and personal autonomy. According to sources, reconciliation between the brothers is deemed “extremely remote” without significant mutual willingness to address underlying grievances.
Deep Structural Obstacles Remain
Royal experts and commentators have offered perspectives on the family situation emphasizing structural obstacles to reconciliation. Biographer Sally Bedell Smith has noted that the underlying issue remains trust, with palace sources indicating the King and William do not trust Harry and Meghan with confidential conversations.
Royal experts have emphasized that the combination of security disputes, treatment demands, institutional concerns, and personal boundaries creates multiple, documented barriers to healing. Expert opinion suggests that meaningful reconciliation faces fundamental challenges due to the complexity of unresolved practical disputes and competing institutional interests.
September Optimism Derailed by October Betrayal
As of November 2025, royal family relations remain significantly complicated despite the September meeting between Charles and Harry. The meeting had suggested some willingness to engage at an individual level; however, the October security appeal dramatically altered the trajectory.
Reports indicate Charles now views Harry’s actions as a breach of trust, with palace sources suggesting any near-term reconciliation is unlikely.
A Family Navigating Deeply Entrenched Positions
The royal family continues to navigate significant family and institutional complications while maintaining traditional protocols. King Charles demonstrated willingness to engage with his son in September, only to feel betrayed by Harry’s October unilateral security appeal.
Queen Camilla maintains documented opposition to rapid reconciliation, while Prince William shows no inclination toward healing the fraternal rift.