“Meghan’s words especially have been scrutinised and her comments fact checked… people are reflecting on the interview and picking up on what was said or wasn’t said.”

The Controversial Funeral Wreath

When Harry attended his grandfather’s funeral, a colorful wreath from him and Meghan was placed on display, accompanied by a handwritten note from Meghan. However, their team also released a press statement explaining the symbolic meaning of the flowers.

Critics accused the Sussexes of turning the moment into a publicity opportunity. Ede called the move “in extremely bad taste,” adding, “They wanted to show that they cared but instead it looked like they were almost benefiting from the funeral.”

Continued Absences from Royal Events

The scrutiny did not end there. In March 2022, a memorial service for Philip was held, but Harry and Meghan again did not attend. Reports claimed security concerns were the reason, but royal expert Robert Jobson suggested Harry’s absence could further strain ties with his family.

Ede commented that after openly criticizing their relatives to millions, Harry and Meghan had “no way to go” without appearing hypocritical. He added: “The royal watchers would have been appalled if Meghan had attended the funeral… to attend would have looked terrible on her but also would have indicated that the royal family accepted her and Harry’s behaviour, which they didn’t.”

Final Thoughts

Meghan Markle’s absence from Prince Philip’s funeral, combined with the timing of the Oprah interview and subsequent decisions, cemented public and royal perceptions of the Sussexes as outsiders. For many, these moments marked the point where reconciliation with the royal family became increasingly difficult.