Meghan Markle’s Royal Exit: The Queen Mother’s Influence Revealed

Few expected the shocking turn of events that would follow Meghan Markle joining the Royal Family in 2018. The Duchess of Sussex wed Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, but almost five years later the couple left their royal obligations and relocated to California.

Their leaving was influenced by a number of elements; some attributed stress to the late Queen Mother’s “well-worn mantra”. Meghan battled the need to keep quiet, unlike her past life when she freely expressed thoughts on her blog, The Tig.

Traditionally, members of the Royal Family refrain from public criticism—a practice inspired by the Queen Mother. Royal expert Victoria Arbiter said that Meghan found the motto “Never complain, never explain”—particularly difficult. Arbiter said in a 2019 interview with Nine News Australia that Meghan’s celebrity background—where publicists refute erroneous reports—made adjusting to royal customs challenging.

Through Harry’s biography “Spare,” their Netflix docu-series, and accusations against other family members, Meghan and Harry have since freely shared their hardships inside the Royal Family in a shocking interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Up until her death in March 2002, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother, was a major player. She was close to Prince William, regularly inviting him for tea but neglecting Harry. Harry apparently acquired more from her fortune, though, to offset William’s prospective royal financial gains. But a February 2020 Forbes article said Harry’s great-grandmother left him no legacy.