Princess Anne may be the queen of the no-nonsense brigade, but even she knows when to throw subtle shade—especially when it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
While Princess Anne rarely speaks directly about her estranged nephew and his wife, she isn’t above slipping in the occasional discreet jab. During a recent CBC interview, Anne weighed in on the idea of a "slimmed-down" monarchy—a concept that has gained traction ever since certain senior royals decided to step down and move abroad. Reflecting on the matter, Anne remarked, "When there were more people around, slimming down the monarchy may have been justifiable." She went on to clarify that, from her perspective, the current push to reduce royal roles doesn't seem as practical.
While Anne's comment lacked direct finger-pointing, royal watchers couldn't help but interpret it as a veiled dig at Harry and Meghan's dramatic exit from royal life. And this isn’t the first time the princess has been rumored to side-eye the couple. Remember when royal expert Neil Sean suggested that Meghan had a short shelf life within the royal family? According to Sean, the Sussexes never really warmed to Anne’s sage advice, which reportedly emphasized punctuality, dedication, and a strong sense of duty. Early on in her royal journey, Meghan supposedly approached Princess Anne for wisdom, perhaps hoping to glean insights from the stalwart royal. However, Anne’s response was classic and to the point: "It's not a working monarchy—it's a job." In other words, clock in, do your research, and make an effort to learn the names of the charities and people you represent. And, crucially, don’t expect the red carpet to be rolled out every time you make an appearance.
Princess Anne didn’t sugarcoat her words, and according to sources, Meghan didn’t stick around long enough to absorb the advice. After all, if there’s one thing Meghan didn’t sign up for, it was the relentless grind of royal duties—grand tours, yes; charity events, certainly—but all of that without a fanfare or adoring crowds? Hard pass. It’s interesting to consider whether Anne is even aware of the impact her comments make, but perhaps she knows exactly what she’s doing. Take, for instance, her trip to New York City—a masterclass in low-key royal travel. Unlike a certain couple who shall remain unnamed, Anne flew on a commercial flight with just one assistant and no entourage in sight. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are still locked in a legal battle over their security arrangements in the UK, demanding police protection whenever they visit, despite no longer being working royals.
To Princess Anne, this insistence on special treatment seems almost laughable. While she’s out here flying economy and carrying her own luggage, her nephew and his wife are embroiled in a dispute over the number of bodyguards they can bring to events like Wimbledon. Anne’s understated travel style could easily be interpreted as a quiet rebuke to the Sussexes. By showing that even senior royals can manage without a heavy security detail, she seems to call into question why two people who have stepped back from royal duties need such extensive protection at all.
Princess Anne has clearly embraced the role of the monarchy's unofficial straight-shooter. Her quiet yet calculated remarks reveal a firm stance on duty, responsibility, and what it truly means to be royal. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan continue to demand VIP treatment, all while Anne racks up frequent flyer miles on commercial flights, proving that dedication, not grandeur, is the cornerstone of royal life.
