In a revelation that’s sending shockwaves through royal circles and observers alike, newly uncovered details suggest that the late Queen Elizabeth II may have harbored serious doubts about Meghan Markle’s intentions toward her grandson, Prince Harry. According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, these insights come directly from Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queen’s cousin and one of her most trusted confidantes, whose private conversations with the monarch are now being brought to light.
A Deeply Trusted Source
Lady Elizabeth Anson, a close family member and lifelong friend to Queen Elizabeth II, was privy to intimate thoughts the Queen rarely shared publicly. Known affectionately by Anson as “Jamaima,” the Queen reportedly expressed grave concerns about Harry’s relationship with Meghan—concerns that remained largely hidden until now.
In one particularly candid exchange, the Queen is said to have told Anson that she was “not convinced Meghan was truly in love with Harry”, and even believed Meghan may have “engineered” the relationship from the beginning. These statements were shared with Bedell Smith shortly before Anson’s death in 2020.
Wedding Tensions and Private Disappointment
According to the reports, Queen Elizabeth was visibly upset by several incidents surrounding Harry and Meghan’s 2018 royal wedding. Lady Anson revealed that Meghan had refused to share details about her wedding dress with the Queen in advance, something the monarch found both disrespectful and troubling.
Additionally, the Queen was said to be “dismayed” by Harry’s decision to bypass royal protocol by asking the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the wedding without first consulting the Dean of Windsor—another breach of tradition that caused tension behind the scenes.
Doubts About Meghan’s Role
Lady Anson also claimed that Queen Elizabeth had serious reservations about Meghan’s behavior within the royal household. She allegedly described Meghan as someone who “could turn nothing into trouble” and “saw things differently”—a comment that suggests friction not just on a personal level, but with the institution of the monarchy itself.
By early 2019, Anson told Bedell Smith that the Queen’s view had hardened. She reportedly said outright: “I don’t trust Meghan an inch.” Despite early hopes, the Queen began to feel increasingly alienated by the couple’s actions, including Harry’s alleged 10-minute phone tirade, which left her emotionally distressed.
The Fallout Between Royals
The rift between Prince Harry and other senior royals, including Prince William and Princess Catherine, was also evident, with Anson reporting that relations between Meghan and Catherine were strained from the beginning. According to the Queen, Meghan and Kate “were not working well together”—a situation that troubled her deeply, given her own decades of service to unity and stability.
Additionally, Prince Harry was viewed, in Anson’s words, as “besotted and weak”, while Meghan was seen as the dominant force in the relationship. “We think she engineered it all,” the Queen allegedly told Anson, summarizing her deep mistrust and sadness.
A Legacy of Pain and Conflict
These reports add significant context to a relationship that has generated intense global scrutiny, especially following the Sussexes’ exit from royal duties and high-profile interviews criticizing the monarchy. While Meghan has often spoken about her challenges adjusting to royal life and alleged mistreatment, this new perspective suggests that tensions may have been brewing far earlier—and far deeper—than the public ever realized.
The Historical Impact
With Lady Elizabeth Anson now deceased, her recollections—shared with one of the most respected royal biographers in the world—form a critical part of the historical record. They reveal a Queen not only concerned about the monarchy’s public image, but heartbroken over the behavior of a beloved grandson and the woman he married.
In an era where official palace statements rarely reveal the full truth, this posthumous insight offers a glimpse into the private thoughts of a monarch who led with duty, restraint, and profound emotional intelligence. Whether or not one agrees with her perspective, it’s clear that Queen Elizabeth II viewed Harry and Meghan’s actions as a serious breach—not just of protocol, but of trust.
