All The Ways The Royal Family Has Snubbed Harry & Meghan Since Megxit
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world by announcing in an official royal statement, "We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
The drama that ensued after this statement was quite intense, to put it mildly. From accusations that the announcement came as a surprise to the late Queen Elizabeth II, to some accusing Meghan of planning the whole thing so she could make money in Hollywood with her newfound status, all hell literally broke loose. "She wanted the label, she wanted the title, she wanted the money," royal expert Tom Bower told GB News (via Express). He claimed that Meghan had achieved more status than money, adding, "...now she's set on building herself up in America."
Needless to say, things got a little nasty, but there are always two sides to a story, and both Harry and Meghan have set the record straight multiple times: Harry claimed in Netflix's "Harry & Meghan" that the queen, did, in fact, know about their plans to step down (via Town & Country), and in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan alleged that one of the reasons she wanted to step down was because she received no support from the royal family while the media was tearing her apart (via People). However valid the couple's reasons might have been, it's been apparent that not all royal family members were happy with their departure, and Harry and Meghan have been notably snubbed a few times ever since.
Getting the cold shoulder at the Commonwealth service
It might be fair to say that the inception of all the drama can be traced back to March 9, 2020, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had to endure their first royal snub during the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey. This would be the last event the couple would attend before their departure from the royal family, and Princess Catherine and Prince William made it clear that they were not happy.
The Daily Times claimed that the cold shoulder Kate and William gave to Meghan and Harry was on full display. First of all, when the Duke and Duchess greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales before the ceremony, Princess Catherine didn't seem to give much of a response, instead focusing more on the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Ouch! A royal insider told Vanity Fair that they suspected Kate was upset about the couple's departure. "She, Harry, and William were once such a happy trio, she thinks what has happened is all very sad," the expert revealed.
"Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan," by royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, details more of the lukewarm welcome the couple received that day. In addition to practically being ignored by William and Catherine, Harry and Meghan were also left out of the senior royal procession that accompanied the queen into the church that year. Durand and Scobie wrote, "The decision had been made without their consultation, and they were informed long after the two thousand orders of service had been printed for guests, with their names notably absent." That must've hurt.
Royal courtiers refused Harry's Remembrance Day flower request
While it was clear from the get-go that some royal family members were unhappy with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure, it appears that this feeling extended to palace courtiers. Harry had asked that the officials lay a wreath of poppies at the national war memorial on his behalf in 2020. Instead, Harry's first Remembrance Day away from home was marked by the palace's refusal to honor his request. The Sunday Times reported that palace courtiers did not honor the prince's wishes because he was no longer a working member of the royal family by that time. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth II was unaware that Harry made the request.
Sources explained to People that the pandemic had prevented Harry from traveling to the event. Harry and Meghan carried on and honored the day in their own way, by laying flowers at the graves of two commonwealth soldiers at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. The veteran also spoke on the "Declassified: Documenting Military Stories" podcast for a special about Remembrance Day.
No room on the balcony at the Platinum Jubilee?
You gotta give it to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their persistence. Even after that notable Commonwealth service slight, they still continued to make an effort to attend some royal events. Take the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, for instance. Unfortunately, they appeared to be dissed once again — there was one big Harry and Meghan-shaped hole on the palace balcony at the beginning of the event.
According to a palace source for The Guardian, their absence was the direct result of a choice Queen Elizabeth II made. "After careful consideration, the queen has decided this year's traditional trooping the color balcony appearance on Thursday 2 June will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the queen," the source revealed.
The thing is, some reports indicated that the queen invited the couple to make a balcony appearance during the jubilee when they paid her a visit earlier that year on their way to attend the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. "Prince Harry and Meghan are excited and honored to attend the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children," the couple's spokesperson said at the time. Basically, everyone was waiting for them to make an appearance on the famous balcony, but they never showed up. Whether this was because the queen changed her mind or because Harry and Meghan declined the invitation is not clear.
William and Kate missed Lilibet's birthday party
In what many saw as yet another rebuff, Princess Catherine and Prince William skipped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's youngest daughter Lilibet's first birthday party. It was hosted at Frogmore Cottage, and while some of Lilibet's second cousins, Lena, Lucas, and Mia (Mike and Zara Tindall's children), and Princess Anne's grandchildren, Savannah and Isla, were at the party, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince Louis were notably absent — along with their parents, per Sky News.
A royal insider told Page Six that William was cautious of spending time with Harry because he was afraid of what his brother might reveal about their encounters afterward. It's worth noting that Harry likely would have been busy writing his memoir "Spare" during this time.
While this definitely looks like an obvious snub, another source told ET that the only reason the Prince and Princess of Wales didn't attend Lilibet's party was that they were traveling at the time due to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. "It's simply a coincidence they fell on the same day," the source revealed, adding, "There was no intended slight." Make of that what you will.
Harry and Meghan got demoted on the royal family's website
While Prince Harry is fifth in line to the throne, he and Meghan were demoted to the very bottom of the family members list on the royal family's website, with only Prince Andrew to cushion their fall. This didn't come as too much of a surprise, even though it may seem like a dig.
After Andrew was accused of sexual abuse, which he denied, Queen Elizabeth II made the decision to strip him of his royal patronages. Now, Harry and Meghan are hanging out at the very bottom along with him. Per Page Six, they had already been moved below Princess Anne before dropping further down to the lowest portion of the list. When Daily Mail journalist Richard Eden posted about the demotion on Twitter, numerous onlookers agreed that the couple's new place was not unusual, given their choice not to be working royals.
As for how Harry and Meghan feel, we have no idea, but we're also pretty sure they don't keep an eye on the royal website — they have much better things to do. They're working civilians like the rest of us now, after all.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Meghan wasn't allowed to be at Queen Elizabeth II's deathbed
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were informed about Queen Elizabeth II's rapidly declining health, they were in a rush to be by her side. There was only one small problem: Meghan allegedly wasn't allowed to go to Balmoral Castle to say her final goodbyes.
Author Tom Bower wrote in newer edition of "Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors," "Firmly, Harry was told that Meghan was not welcome" (via Express). Bower commented that Meghan had not wanted to visit Balmoral Castle for several years prior to the queen's death. It appears there was a bit of back-and-forth between Harry and Prince William, and in the end, William ordered the plane Harry was supposed to be on to take off, and "Harry was left to hire his own plane and make the journey alone," Bower wrote.
A source for The Sun claimed that King Charles III only wanted the queen's closest family members to assemble at her bedside and that even Princess Catherine was not present. In his memoir "Spare," Harry shed more light on what went down that day. For one, he revealed that he wasn't informed of the queen's passing by his family, but instead found out online (per BBC News). Elsewhere in the book, he noted that the king was afraid of being "overshadowed" by Meghan (via Insider).
Meghan might be left out of the queen's will, says one report
When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, many wondered whom she favored in her will. Radar Online reported that, while Princess Catherine was likely to inherit some of the queen's most precious jewels, Meghan Markle likely wouldn't be as lucky. An apparent insider explained that it's possible both Meghan and Lilibet weren't receiving anything significant in the queen's will. "It's not surprising, since they're not members of the royal family anymore, but it would be a real slap in the face," the source said.
There's speculation that Kate would share some of her inheritance with Lilibet so she's not excluded (Lilibet's only one year old, so we're pretty sure she's not too worried at the moment). When asked whether Kate would offer Meghan the same courtesy, the source said, "She's not their concern." Ouch.
Radar relayed speculations that axing or limiting Meghan's jewelry inheritance might be for practical reasons, or it might signal a purposeful message to Harry and Meghan. Now, we didn't know the queen personally, but she didn't seem like the type to be so vengeful. What's more is that royal family members' wills are typically sealed, which means the public may never actually know what the queen left to her remaining family. Basically, the queen's will was her personal business, and that's the way it will remain.
Harry and Meghan were uninvited to a state reception at the palace
In a very notable snub, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got uninvited to a state reception at Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth II's death. The Telegraph reported that the couple originally received an invite, but perhaps there was some miscommunication, as only working royals were expected to attend the event — oof!
When sources close to the couple were questioned about the matter, they were reportedly quite "baffled." Someone mixed up the invites somewhere — that much is clear. Palace aides insisted that Harry and Meghan weren't on the list, and the officials were not expecting them to be present. This raised a few eyebrows — the couple might not be working royals anymore, but that doesn't mean they're no longer family of the queen. Needless to say, the pair did not make an appearance at the event, but their absence sure created speculation and criticism from the press and the public alike.
Harry and Meghan were left out of a family photo
On the evening of the infamous state dinner, the royal family reportedly took a brand-new family photo without Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. That's all well and good, but they eventually posted the pic on Instagram for the world to see. This sent a message that the couple is officially no longer members of the family. Sure, they stepped down as working royals, but it's still a little harsh.
In an article royal expert Richard Kay wrote for the Daily Mail, he called Harry and Meghan's absence the "unspoken elephant in the room," adding that the couple was actually in Britain during the event and that this new family picture sent a pretty clear message. "Might it deepen their feelings of exclusion and exile, or will it merely serve to remind them why they chose to break from the family in the first place?" Kay speculated. The truth is that no one knows, because neither Harry nor Meghan said a word about it. "There is a finality about this photo that suggests there is no way back for a couple who could have been at the epicenter of royalty but are now at its margins," Kay wrote. We have a nagging suspicion that the margins are exactly where Harry and Meghan want to be right now.
Kate and William reportedly ignored Meghan and Harry at the queen's funeral
In what was pretty much a repeat of the events that transpired at the Commonwealth service two years prior, Prince William and Princess Catherine gave Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the cold shoulder at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Many had hoped that the funeral would serve as an opportunity for the estranged family members to reconnect, but alas, that was not the case.
The Guardian reported that Prince William and Prince Harry didn't make any eye contact during the service, nor did they seem to really acknowledge each other. The same could be said for Meghan and Kate. There was no interaction between the couples, and they appeared to be staying as far away from each other as possible. In an article columnist Richard Johnson wrote for the Daily News, he reported that there were whispers afterward that Meghan and Harry felt they were treated unfairly during the funeral service. They reportedly said that the royal family wasn't very welcoming toward them, despite the dire circumstances under which they reunited.
Harry's military uniform was banned from the queen's funeral
Quite a bit of drama ensued when it was revealed that Prince Harry would not be allowed to wear his military uniform at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. As a non-working royal who'd returned military honors to the queen, Harry's regulations weren't too surprising. However, Us Weekly explained that the real insult against Harry occurred when the palace announced that Prince Andrew, who had also been stripped of his royal titles, would be allowed to wear his military uniform at the queen's vigil. The palace called it a "special mark of respect." It came to light that Harry wasn't afforded the same courtesy, which raised a lot of eyebrows, to put it mildly.
U.K. commentator Shola Mos-Shogbamimu told Newsweek at the time that the palace clearly had a double standard. Prince Andrew was accused of sexual assault and thereby lost his honorary military titles, yet he still had an opportunity to dress in uniform, while Harry was left out in the cold. "Prince Harry served with distinction. He served in the army with distinction, rising in the ranks. He did two tours of Afghanistan," Mos-Shogbamimu explained. It did indeed seem unfair, but royal expert Christopher Anderson said, "It was [what] the queen wanted," adding that King Charles III was simply honoring her wishes.
In the end, royal expert Omid Scobie took to Twitter to announce that the palace had decided to allow Harry to wear his military uniform at the queen's final vigil after all. He still wasn't allowed to wear it at the funeral, however.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Harry and Meghan's seating at the queen's funeral
Millions of people tuned in to watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, and they noticed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated in the second row behind King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. On the front row across the aisle were Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Peter Phillips, and Mike and Zara Tindall. A social media kerfuffle ensued as onlookers wondered if Harry and Meghan's second-row seating was the ultimate royal snub since the couple's exit from the royal family. While William's spot in the front might make sense (he's next in line to the throne, after all), some couldn't grasp why Mike and Zara, as well as Andrew, were seated in the front row when they're also not working royals.
We'll admit, the seating chart seemed borderline scornful, but some royal experts have come forward since to explain why it might not have been. Speaking to Us Weekly, royal historian Gareth Russell explained that Harry and Meghan's infamous spot at the service was actually a place of honor. Yes, we're as surprised as you are. "That's the etiquette. If you know what the etiquette is, it actually is a place of honor," Russell explained. "To be the one behind the king is actually a sign of favor. What they seem to have done with this etiquette though is not prioritize [Prince William] or Harry." Rather, the children of the queen were prioritized. Well, there you have it!
All mention of Meghan and Harry was removed from the queen's Commonwealth Trust website
2023 was kicked off with yet another subtle royal snub for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when Queen Elizabeth II's Commonwealth website launched their brand-new design — sans Harry and Meghan's names, the Daily Mail reports. The exclusion of their names made headlines because they used to be the president and vice president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust before they decided to step down as working royals.
There's speculation that the couple's names have been wiped from the website because their Netflix docuseries indirectly took aim at the organization, branding it as "Empire 2.0." "It's a voluntary organization whereas [in the documentary], it's dismissed as this colonial body used for Britain to extract money and resources from the rest of the world. [The queen] would have been horrified," royal expert Richard Kay said in response to the couple's names being removed from the site.
Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage
In an unexpected turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were asked to relinquish their U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage, which was initially a wedding gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II, The New York Times reported.
"We can confirm the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage," the couple's press secretary, Ashley Hansen, confirmed. She did not elaborate on why the couple was asked to vacate their home. While they haven't lived there permanently, Frogmore Cottage has served as Harry and Meghan's home base whenever they visited the U.K. BBC News reported rumors that the couple was asked to leave the cottage shortly after Harry's memoir, "Spare," hit shelves in January 2023. The book contains plenty of bombshells that likely weren't received very kindly by the royal family — King Charles III included.
Buckingham Palace has remained silent on the matter, but a palace insider told The New York Times that the reasons for asking Harry and Meghan to leave Frogmore Cottage were a "private family matter." Seemingly, the royal family isn't planning on making any amends with Harry and Meghan anytime soon. If removing them from their U.K. home is any indication, the royal rift is growing ever wider.