A royal source says Queen Elizabeth II used shocking language about Meghan and Harry shortly before her death

In the final weeks of her life, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly gave a scathing private assessment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, calling them “a complete catastrophe” and describing Meghan as “evil,” a source has claimed.

The remarks allegedly came during an intimate drinks reception at Balmoral Castle in August 2022, just a month before the Queen’s passing at age 96. According to the insider, the Queen—normally viewed as calm, diplomatic, and measured—spoke candidly about her grandson and his wife, revealing deep regret over their departure from royal duties.

“It was out of character for the Queen to use such a word as ‘evil’ to describe Meghan, but she saw straight through her,” the source told The Spectator. “It was a startling sentence to hear from the most forgiving woman on Earth.”

The monarch reportedly shared her views in a small circle of confidants, stating that Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan had “become a complete catastrophe.” She is also said to have looked back on the situation with a sense of sadness and inevitability, lamenting how strained relations had become between the Sussexes and the wider royal family.

At the time, tensions were at an all-time high following explosive public statements from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their controversial Netflix documentary, Harry’s memoir Spare, and the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview included allegations of racism within the Firm and claims Meghan was denied help during a mental health crisis. The fallout reverberated across the monarchy and divided public opinion worldwide.

Despite the Queen’s alleged remarks, both Harry and Meghan have consistently spoken of her in affectionate terms. In their 2021 interview with Oprah, Meghan described the Queen as “wonderful,” saying, “She’s always been warm, welcoming, and inviting.” Meghan also emotionally recalled their first joint engagement, saying it felt “incredibly special.”

After the Queen’s death in September 2022, Meghan told Variety she felt “deep gratitude” for the time she spent with Her Majesty. “She is the most shining example of what female leadership looks like,” Meghan said. “I feel fortunate. And I continue to be proud to have had a nice warmth with the matriarch of the family.”

Harry, who travelled to Balmoral alone upon hearing of his grandmother’s declining health, was visibly emotional throughout the period of national mourning. Meghan joined him in the UK for the funeral events. In a rare show of unity, the Sussexes appeared alongside Prince William and Princess Catherine to view floral tributes outside Windsor Castle, their first public reunion since stepping back from royal life.

The alleged Balmoral comments cast a new light on the Queen’s state of mind in her final days. Long admired for her discretion, Elizabeth II rarely voiced personal grievances in public. Yet, according to this insider account, her private disappointment in Harry’s choices and concerns over Meghan’s influence were more profound than previously known.

Critics have raised questions about the timing and motive behind the leak, as the monarchy continues to navigate public scrutiny and shifting allegiances. Supporters of the Sussexes argue that hearsay from unnamed sources shouldn’t tarnish the image of a woman they say respected the Queen deeply.

Nonetheless, the reported comments have reignited fierce debate about the breakdown of royal relations—and whether reconciliation is still possible in a family that’s become increasingly fractured in the public eye.