Prince Harry Labeled “Very Rude” to Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle Branded “Trouble” Amid 2018 Royal Wedding Drama
In the seven years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s glittering 2018 wedding at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the ceremony that once symbolized modern love within the monarchy continues to draw scrutiny. What was meant to be a seamless celebration of tradition and progress has instead become a touchstone for tension, and fresh revelations have once again cast a harsh light on that day.
According to insiders with knowledge of events surrounding the wedding, Prince Harry reportedly shocked courtiers and even his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, by displaying behavior described as “very rude” in the run-up to the nuptials. At the same time, Meghan Markle, then stepping into her role as Duchess of Sussex, was allegedly viewed as “trouble” by senior palace aides who struggled to adapt to her outspokenness and Hollywood sensibilities.
The Wedding That Shook the Palace
The May 19, 2018 ceremony was watched by more than 1.9 billion people worldwide, hailed as a milestone for the monarchy: a biracial American actress marrying a beloved British prince. The couple’s exchange of vows was wrapped in pageantry—an iconic carriage procession, gospel choir, and celebrity-studded guest list that ranged from Oprah Winfrey to David Beckham. On the surface, it was a fairytale.
But behind palace walls, sources claim storm clouds gathered. Prince Harry, under pressure from both global attention and family politics, allegedly lashed out at royal staff who attempted to enforce traditional protocols. “He was short, abrupt, and, in some instances, dismissive even to the Queen’s private secretary,” said one insider. “There was a moment where Her Majesty herself was said to have felt her grandson’s tone was disrespectful. She rarely tolerated rudeness.”
This tension, while largely hidden from the public eye at the time, now appears as the earliest fracture in the once unshakable bond between Harry and his grandmother.
Meghan: The Newcomer Who Ruffled Feathers
At the same time, Meghan Markle’s presence within the palace was stirring its own debate. Raised in Los Angeles and accustomed to a world of Hollywood publicists, scripted narratives, and personal branding, Meghan reportedly clashed with courtiers who prized discretion and restraint above all else.
“She asked questions, she challenged traditions, and she wanted to modernize instantly,” one longtime aide explained. “That may work in California, but in Buckingham Palace it caused enormous unease. The word used about her most often at the time was ‘trouble.’ Not necessarily malicious trouble, but disruptive, unpredictable trouble.”
Allegations later surfaced about tension between Meghan and Catherine, Princess of Wales, with reports of a heated disagreement over bridesmaid dresses. While details remain murky, the narrative of Meghan as a “difficult duchess” took root during this period, amplified by tabloids hungry for palace intrigue.
Harry’s Defensiveness
Compounding matters, Harry’s fierce protectiveness of Meghan sometimes manifested in sharp exchanges with staff and even family. “What Meghan wants, Meghan gets,” he reportedly snapped at one aide over a tiara selection, a remark said to have infuriated Queen Elizabeth. The Queen, known for her unshakable composure, allegedly reprimanded her grandson, reminding him that protocol, not personal desire, ruled royal events.
This alleged confrontation has since become symbolic: Harry, caught between tradition and love, unwilling to bend, and the Queen, guardian of an institution that had survived centuries.
The Fallout in Retrospect
Seven years later, as the Sussexes continue to live in California, the narrative of the 2018 wedding has been reshaped through memoirs, documentaries, and ongoing palace leaks. What was once a story of a glamorous union is now retold as the prologue to royal estrangement.
Critics of Harry argue that his “rudeness” toward his grandmother was the first sign of his disillusionment with palace life—a lack of deference that would culminate in “Megxit” two years later. For Meghan, being branded “trouble” was perhaps inevitable in an institution that prizes silence and tradition over initiative and change.
The couple themselves have maintained that they faced extraordinary pressure during that time, pointing to racism, relentless media intrusion, and a lack of institutional support. Meghan famously told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that she had been silenced and left vulnerable, a statement that further deepened the rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.
Public Perception and Legacy
For royal watchers, the 2018 wedding remains a paradox. On screen, it was a moment of unity and hope; behind the scenes, it appears to have been fraught with tension that foreshadowed the storm ahead.
Prince Harry has often spoken of his deep love and respect for his grandmother, but critics argue his actions in 2018 tell a more complicated story. Meghan, meanwhile, continues to face polarizing opinions: adored by fans for her independence and humanitarian work, criticized by detractors for disrupting the monarchy’s delicate balance.
The passage of time has not quieted the drama. If anything, the revelations about Harry’s alleged rudeness and Meghan’s reputation as “trouble” have only cemented the 2018 wedding as one of the most controversial royal ceremonies in modern memory.
