Queen Elizabeth II vs. Meghan Markle: 7 Moments That Allegedly Sparked Royal Tension

For a family built on centuries of tradition and stiff upper lips, even a whisper of defiance can cause a seismic shift. And when Meghan Markle

married into Britain’s most famously photographed institution, the palace gates creaked under the pressure. As The Crown

replays history in dramatic cuts, real-life whispers of protocol, privacy, and personal choices brewed behind the scenes. What followed? Alleged tensions that left tiaras slightly askew.

While the royal family served poise and pearls on the outside, behind the scenes it was more drama than a soap opera with crowns. Here are the 7 moments

that allegedly made Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle’s relationship less tea party and more tension-filled tea spill.

1. A wedding request that was anything but traditional

When Prince Harry

asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to officiate his wedding without first consulting Queen Elizabeth II

or the Dean of Windsor, Lady Elizabeth Anson described it as a major breach. Revealed by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith in The Times of London

, Lady Elizabeth Anson said this move “really upset

” the Queen. It was not just the request; it was the royal ripple it sent through Buckingham’s polished halls.

And while the Queen was reportedly still reeling from protocol whiplash, what came next, a dress kept under lock and key, only added layers to the royal chill.

2. Dress drama, royal edition

Every royal wedding dress has its secrets: lace patterns, tribute embroideries, secret sleeves, but Meghan Markle’s was reportedly secretive enough to cause concern. According to Lady Elizabeth Anson, even Queen Elizabeth II was left out of the loop.

The alleged lack of early approval raised eyebrows and perhaps hackles, making the dazzling Givenchy reveal feel more like a royal curveball than couture coordination.

As whispers of wardrobe secrecy settled, the palace would soon face an even bigger concern: the Queen herself, reportedly upset before the first flower girl walked.

3. Windsor warning signs

Long before the trumpet fanfare and balcony waves, Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly stewing. Lady Elizabeth Anson told Sally Bedell Smith that the monarch felt increasingly uneasy about Meghan Markle’s approach to royal life. “She sees things in a different way

,” Lady Elizabeth Anson recalled, hinting that the Queen sensed a modern hurricane coming for the monarchy’s neatly trimmed hedges.

And just when it seemed emotions could not get any frostier, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal exit would light a spark that scorched the family tree.

4. Megxit: when duty met departure

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, famously dubbed “Megxit

,” Queen Elizabeth II allegedly did not see it as a fresh start but as a deep betrayal

. For a monarch whose life was rooted in duty, the move was said to cut far beyond headlines and into the heart of royal commitment. It marked a dramatic shift, not just in roles, but in trust, leaving the Queen personally shaken.

While that royal exit sent shockwaves across continents, the naming of a royal baby would soon spark a fresh firestorm, this time over a nickname.

5. The Lilibet name drop heard round the world

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry named their daughter Lilibet

, royal watchers assumed a touching tribute. But not everyone was touched. Daily Mail columnist Robert Hardman reported

in King Charles III: The Inside Story that Queen Elizabeth II never gave a full blessing.

The use of her cherished childhood nickname without explicit approval left the palace blindsided and, reportedly, livid.

As backlash brewed over borrowed nicknames, another royal reveal took shape: Queen Elizabeth II’s alleged private nickname for Meghan Markle, and it was anything but flattering.

6. The troublemaker label that allegedly stuck

Lady Elizabeth Anson did not mince words. In her conversations with Sally Bedell Smith, she revealed Queen Elizabeth II allegedly believed Meghan Markle had “engineered

” the relationship with Prince Harry and privately referred to her as “the troublemaker

.” These claims suggest the Queen’s suspicions were not tabloid fiction but private palace reality.

Tension, it seems, had a very royal nickname.

And if a royal label like troublemaker felt pointed, what followed was a series of protocol breaks that reportedly left Queen Elizabeth II even more disappointed

 and palace insiders quietly fuming.

7. Protocol? More like suggestions

Royal rules come with tiaras, gloves, and centuries of silent nods. Meghan Markle, however, seemed to bring in a breezier California current. From opting out of traditional royal dress codes to speaking to the press ahead of schedule, her approach was seen less as modern independence and more as calculated defiance.

According to Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth II was already disappointed, and Meghan Markle’s reportedly strained relationship with Kate Middleton only deepened the monarch’s sadness.

Seven moments. Countless headlines. And one royal relationship that reportedly never found its fairy-tale footing. From wedding wishes to wardrobe choices, the alleged tension between Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle offers a window into how tradition collides with transformation. Whether viewed as palace protocol or personal politics, each moment added a layer to a narrative still unfolding.

Read More: Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Different Names on Archie and Lilibet’s Birth Certificates

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