Prince William reportedly suspected Meghan Markle had ulterior motives for marrying Prince Harry, viewing the union as a calculated move toward fame and fortune, according to royal insiders. The allegation, reignited this week, is adding new fuel to one of the most talked-about royal rifts in decades.
Royal journalist Phil Dampier, speaking to The Sun, said William’s early doubts about Meghan played a major role in the brothers’ fallout. He cited remarks from Lady Elizabeth Anson, a late confidante of Queen Elizabeth II, who allegedly shared concerns about Meghan’s intentions within the royal family.
According to Dampier, William feared Meghan saw Harry as a steppingstone to global recognition. He added that these concerns were not only ignored at the time, but have since been echoed by others close to the late queen.
Royal insiders say Queen Elizabeth felt betrayed
The tension escalated further following Prince Harry and Meghan’s high-profile departure from royal duties in 2020, dubbed “Megxit.” A former palace courtier claimed the queen felt personally betrayed, especially after the couple’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. The source described her reaction as utterly devastating, saying the betrayal was complete.
Another family insider alleged the queen, who quietly battled bone cancer before her death in 2022, was left deeply disappointed by Harry’s public criticism of the institution she protected for more than 70 years.
Adding to the controversy, a close friend of Prince William and Princess Kate told the Daily Beast that the royal family places full blame on Meghan for the fracture. The friend reportedly compared the situation to the abdication scandal involving Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, saying exile worked before and it will work again.
Pushback and Harry’s plea for peace
Not all sources agree. A spokesperson speaking to Page Six said Dampier’s remarks were nothing more than opinions and not grounded in fact. They added that no one can definitively know Meghan’s private thoughts or intentions.
Despite the ongoing narrative, Prince Harry continues to express his desire for reconciliation. In a BBC News interview aired May 3, he said there have been many disagreements but insisted he does not want to keep fighting.
He acknowledged that some members of his family may never forgive him, particularly in the wake of his memoir Spare, in which he accused William of physically attacking him during a heated exchange.
Harry now resides in California with Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. His statements about seeking peace contrast sharply with the accusations swirling around his wife.
As insiders continue to leak new accounts of royal disappointment and emotional fractures, the divide between brothers shows no sign of closing — and the next royal chapter may only deepen the family’s wounds.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.