The Royal Family’s decision to exclude Meghan Markle from a crucial meeting about her and Prince Harry’s future has reignited debates about trust and treatment within the monarchy.
The meeting, held in 2020, followed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s announcement that they would step back from their roles as senior royals, just two years after their wedding. Attended by Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, and Prince William, the discussions were pivotal in determining the couple’s path forward.
However, Meghan’s absence from the meeting raised eyebrows, as she remained in Canada while Harry traveled to the UK. Reports at the time suggested that the Sussexes had mutually agreed it “wasn’t necessary for the Duchess to join,” even via phone. But royal commentator Richard Kay later revealed that Meghan’s exclusion may not have been a mutual decision.
Kay reported in the Daily Mail that palace officials deliberately rejected the idea of Meghan participating, citing privacy concerns. “According to palace insiders, such an idea was rejected because no one knew for sure who else might have been listening in. This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call,” he explained.
Meghan addressed the snub in her and Harry’s Netflix docuseries, released later in 2020. Reflecting on the moment, she said, “Imagine a conversation, a roundtable discussion about the future of your life. When the stakes are this high. And you, as the mom, the wife, and the target in many regards, aren’t invited to have a seat at the table.”
Harry backed her sentiments, stating, “It was clear to me that they planned it out so that you weren’t in the room.”
The incident has since fueled ongoing discussions about Meghan’s treatment within the Royal Family and the challenges the couple faced before stepping away from their royal roles. It remains a point of contention in the broader narrative of their departure and subsequent life outside the monarchy.
