Meghan Markle is reportedly preparing a renewed effort to repair relations with Queen Camilla ahead of an expected visit to the UK later this year, as old claims that Camilla privately accused Meghan of having "brainwashed" Prince Harry have resurfaced and intensified scrutiny of the fractured royal relationship.
The alleged reconciliation effort comes after years of hostility between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family following Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, relocate to California and publicly criticize the monarchy through interviews, documentaries and Harry's memoir, Spare.
According to In Touch, Meghan now views Camilla as a critical figure in any future rapprochement with the House of Windsor. The outlet cited an unnamed source claiming: "Meghan knows she's coming at this from the bottom floor, or more like the basement, because Camilla openly hates her."
The same source alleged that Meghan has decided to "throw herself into it and hope that her true intentions are seen," despite recognizing the depth of mistrust surrounding her within royal circles.
The renewed attention on Camilla's relationship with Meghan follows allegations published in royal author Tom Bower's book Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family. In reporting cited by The Times, Bower claimed Camilla privately told a friend that Meghan had "brainwashed" Harry during the period leading up to the couple's departure from Britain.
Neither Buckingham Palace nor Camilla has publicly addressed the allegation. But the phrase has lingered in royal commentary for years, reinforcing perceptions that the Queen remained deeply skeptical of Meghan's influence over Harry and the couple's increasingly confrontational approach toward the monarchy.
The latest reports suggest Meghan is acutely aware of that history and believes any attempt at reconciliation must be handled carefully. According to the insider quoted by In Touch, "She knows Camilla will be looking to find fault with her and brand her fake."
Another source claim described Meghan's approach in blunt terms: "Does she want to grovel at Camilla's feet? No, but she's savvy enough to realise it's what's needed if she's going to make any progress."
The reported strategy appears focused less on personal friendship and more on shared public causes. Meghan is said to be closely studying Camilla's long-running advocacy work surrounding domestic violence and support services for survivors, an issue Meghan has also championed during her public life.
According to the report, Meghan believes praising Camilla's efforts in that area "won't be disingenuous," and hopes any outreach will "pass the smell test with Camilla." Royal observers note that charitable initiatives have historically provided the monarchy with a safer framework for rebuilding strained relationships without forcing overt personal reconciliation into public view.
The political dimension inside the monarchy may also be significant. The insider claimed Camilla's influence over access to senior royals and palace decision-making has become increasingly important as King Charles continues reshaping the institution during his reign.
"After all, King Charles III's wife holds a huge amount of influence over who gets access to the family and the decisions that are made, and Meghan knows that," the source alleged.
Royal commentators say that dynamic places Camilla in a uniquely sensitive position. Once viewed as one of the monarchy's most controversial figures during the collapse of Charles and Diana's marriage, Camilla has spent years rebuilding her own public standing inside the institution. Some analysts believe that history may make her especially wary of family disputes becoming public spectacles again.
