When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry and joined the British royal family in 2018, few could have predicted the couple's eventual departure as working royals and their relocation to California. A myriad of factors contributed to their exit, but some experts suggest that the late Queen Mother's philosophy might have played a role in the issues Meghan faced.
The Duchess of Sussex has shared her struggles with being unable to express herself or respond to claims made about her, a significant shift from her pre-royal life when she could address issues directly or through her social media blog, The Tig.
The Queen Mother, known for her strong influence within the royal family, had a "well-worn mantra" of "never complain, never explain," which has traditionally guided the behavior of royal family members. Speaking to Nine News Australia in 2019, royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained the difficulties Meghan might have faced due to this approach: "It's very difficult when you come from a celebrity background where a publicist can stand up for you or come out and say 'no, that report is categorically untrue.'"
Since stepping back from their royal duties, Meghan and Harry have become more outspoken, addressing their experiences and grievances in a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docu-series, and Harry's memoir Spare.
The Queen Mother, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, held significant sway in the royal family until her passing in 2002. She was known to have a closer bond with Prince William than Prince Harry, often inviting William to tea while Harry was left out. Journalist Richard Kay explained in the Channel 5 documentary Prince Harry: The Troubled Prince that, "The Queen Mother always made sure Prince William was seated in a prominent seat next to her, and Harry never was."
Interestingly, when the Queen Mother passed away, it was reported that she left a larger share of her estimated £14 million estate to Harry, recognizing that William would financially benefit from becoming King. However, a Forbes report published in February 2020 claims that Harry did not receive any inheritance from his great-grandmother.
