The British royal family has seen its share of palace whispers, glittering headlines, and tiara-level tension. But nothing seems to grab the world’s attention quite like the tale of Meghan Markle and her seismic entrance into royal life. From tea etiquette to tell-all interviews, the Duchess has been at the center of the Firm’s modern evolution. And now, a late royal cousin’s comments are stirring up the tiara again.

While Meghan Markle rewrote royal norms in real-time, the Queen, it seems, was quietly rewriting her expectations, with rising concern.

Just weeks before Meghan Markle walked down the aisle, Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly grappling with more than just seating charts. As revealed in The Times of London, Lady Elizabeth Anson, who spoke with royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith shortly before her death, claimed the monarch was “not at all content” with how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were handling palace protocol. She added the Queen felt deeply disappointed and feared Meghan Markle “could turn into nothing but trouble.”

Prince Harry may have believed Queen Elizabeth II supported his wedding plans, but Lady Elizabeth Anson offered a sharply contrasting account. The Queen was reportedly distressed after he bypassed royal protocol by asking the Archbishop of Canterbury to officiate without consulting the Dean of Windsor. “Harry seems to think the Queen can do what she wants, but she can’t,” Lady Elizabeth Anson said. The move left Her Majesty not just disappointed, but emotionally wounded by the perceived disregard.

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While Prince Harry skipped protocol for love, whispers in the palace hinted Meghan Markle might be skipping sincerity, setting the stage for a royal feud in slow motion.

While tabloids obsessed over tiaras and tights, the real friction was quietly unfolding behind palace walls. As reported by The Times of London, Queen Elizabeth II allegedly admitted she was unsure about Meghan Markle, remarking, “the jury is out.” Lady Elizabeth Anson went further, claiming Meghan Markle had “engineered it all” and calling Prince Harry “besotted and weak about women.” The Queen was also said to be “particularly” concerned about the rising tension between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. Trouble was already on the guest list.

Concerns and protocol breaches may have stirred unrest, but Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly kept in touch with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after stepping away from royal life. From California, they shared holiday updates and joined Zoom calls. In 2021, Prince Harry revealed the Queen gifted Prince Archie a waffle maker, a sweet reminder that some royal bonds still held, even across oceans and headlines.

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What are your thoughts on Meghan Markle’s reported tensions with the Queen before the wedding? Let us know in the comments below.