Queen Elizabeth Thought Meghan Markle Was a ‘Narcissist'-Author
Queen Elizabeth II “detected narcissistic behavior on the part of Meghan” Markle after efforts to set the duchess up for success were “torn up,” insiders told royal author Robert Hardman.
In his new bookElizabeth II, Hardman quoted a source who described the relationship between the monarch and Meghan, saying: “The Queen had seen plenty of narcissists in her life.”
And on Newsweek‘s The Royal Report podcast Hardman went into greater detail about his sourcing for the extraordinary account: “A lot of people around the queen thought the queen thought Megan was, by the end, showing narcissistic tendencies.”
Why It Matters
Many have described Meghan as a narcissist but the allegation usually comes from figures in the media or public life who are firmly and outspokenly opposed to the duchess.
Prince Harry and Meghan have always said they had a good relationship and bond with the late monarch, who died in September 2022 and therefore can neither confirm nor contradict the account given to Hardman.
What Robert Hardman Told The Royal Report Podcast
Hardman told Newsweek‘s The Royal Report podcast “the queen was famously good at concealing her true thoughts” but added that Elizabeth’s inner circle became convinced the monarch believed Meghan exhibited narcissistic traits after attempts to set her up for royal success failed.
He cited the care with which the queen gave her new granddaughter-in-law meaningful patronages that she thought would matter to Meghan, including with the National Theatre, playing off her past career as an actress.
Hardman said these efforts “were initially embraced by the [Sussexes] and then just sort of torn up.”
“It was at first baffling, then frustrating, and then ultimately, in the end, those around the queen felt that she felt she had been let down by both of them but certainly detected narcissistic behavior on the part of Meghan,” he said.
Hardman said the queen had also bent certain royal rules to welcome Harry’s future wife into the family early on, before her May 2018 wedding, with Meghan completing her first royal engagement in December 2017.
Elizabeth‘s reported belief in Meghan’s narcissistic tendencies did not develop until “after things had blown up,” Hardman said.
“Early on she was actually delighted [with Meghan]. Don't forget the queen was sort of bending all the rules to welcome Meghan into the fold,” he said. “You used to not take your girlfriend or even then-fiancee to stay at royal events until you were married and all this sort of thing. Those sort of rules went out of the window.”
What Hardman’s Book Says About the Queen and Meghan
The relevant passage in Hardman’s book comes after he discusses Harry and Meghan’s March 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, in which Meghan said an unnamed royal had expressed “concerns and conversations” about how dark her unborn child’s skin might be before he was born.
And the book suggests some in the palace felt Meghan’s choice of interviewer indicated she had been planning to speak out for years, citing the fact Oprah was a guest at the couple’s wedding.
“The business of having Oprah at the wedding now made sense,” said one senior aide. “The Queen had initially been very sympathetic to Meghan and her family problems.
“I think she saw similarities between Meghan and the young Philip and his chaotic family. But it was now starting to look like the move to California had been a plan all along.”
The source added: “The Queen had seen plenty of narcissists in her life.”
The reference to “family problems,” is likely a nod to the fact Meghan fell out with Thomas Markle, her father, after he cooperated with paparazzi photographers in staging pictures for money. After being exposed in the media, he had a heart attack and was taken to hospital. They have remained estranged ever since.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 6:14 AM.