Princess Anne made a remark that could be seen as a slight dig at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last year when she was quizzed about the concept of a slimmed down monarchy.
The Princess Royal, 74, was interviewed by CBC before her brother King Charles’ Coronation in May 2023 and indicated that the monarch’s decision to have less working royals was made before Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, quit Royal Family life in 2020.
When asked about the King’s idea, Anne said: “Well, I think the ‘slimmed-down’ (monarchy) was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment.
“I mean, it doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say. I’m not quite sure what else, you know, we can do.”
Although Anne was appearing to refer to the couple discreetly in this comment, she has never spoken outright about her relationship with Harry and Meghan.
At the King’s Coronation, the Princess Royal was even spotted talking to the duke as he attended the event alone without his wife by his side.
While they seemed to be on pleasant terms, one royal expert has said that Anne did not get on as well with Meghan and reportedly knew that the Duchess had a “short shelf-life” in the monarchy.
Royal expert Neil Sean said of the incident: “According to a very good source Meghan Markle failed to warm to Princess Anne.
“And Princess Anne always knew that Meghan would have a very short shelf-life in the world of the British monarchy.
“Apparently, when Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family, she sought out Princess Anne. According to a very good source, Princess Anne gave very sage advice to the new royal.
“Princess Anne reiterated this mantra, she pointed out that it wasn’t a working monarchy, it was a job, you turn up on time, you do your research, and do the duty.”
