The late Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly uneasy with Meghan Markle’s approach to royal life long before the Sussexes stepped back from duties.
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Commentators and royal authors have pointed to repeated friction over protocol, staff relations, and Meghan’s frustration with palace expectations. The strongest recurring theme is that the Queen valued restraint and discretion, while Meghan wanted a more modern, independent role.
A major flashpoint often discussed is the wedding period. Reports say there were tensions around the tiara Meghan wanted to wear, and that the Queen was also uncomfortable with some of the couple’s choices and complaints surrounding the ceremony. Those disagreements may sound small, but inside the royal system, symbolic details often carry a lot of weight.
The Trust Problem
The deeper issue appears to have been trust. Recent commentary says the Queen came to believe Harry and Meghan were difficult to manage because they did not always follow the informal rules that hold the institution together. That included concerns about how private matters were handled, how staff were treated, and whether the couple understood the burden their public roles placed on the monarchy.
Some reports also suggest the Queen was hurt by the couple’s refusal to take certain invitations and by the way later criticism of the family unfolded. In that reading, the falling out was not just about one argument, but about a pattern of disappointment that built over time.