Princess Anne may be known for her no-nonsense attitude, but she also has a way of throwing subtle shade, especially when it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While Anne rarely speaks directly about her estranged nephew and his wife, she’s not above dropping discreet digs now and then. During a recent interview with CBC, Anne shared her thoughts on the concept of a slimmed-down monarchy—a popular idea that has gained traction since certain senior royals decided to step down and move to the U.S.
“When there were more people around, slimming down the monarchy may have been justifiable,” she commented. However, she went on to clarify that from her perspective, the idea of cutting down royal roles doesn’t exactly look great now. In other words, you can’t just drop the job and expect to maintain the same level of respect. Anne’s comments may have lacked direct finger-pointing, but royal watchers quickly saw them as a veiled swipe at Harry and Meghan’s dramatic exit from royal life.
This isn’t the first time Princess Anne has been rumored to throw side-eye at the couple. Royal expert Neil Sean once suggested that Meghan had a “short shelf life” in the monarchy, claiming that the Sussexes didn’t take kindly to Anne’s sage advice. Anne reportedly emphasized punctuality, dedication, and the importance of understanding the concept of duty. Allegedly, Meghan approached Anne early in her royal days, perhaps hoping to gain wisdom from the seasoned royal. Anne’s response, however, was classic: “It’s not a working monarchy, it’s a job.” In other words, clock in, do your research, and learn the names of the people and charities you’ll represent. Oh, and don’t expect anyone to roll out the red carpet every time you show up.
Princess Anne didn’t mince words, and according to sources, Meghan didn’t stick around to hear much more. Let’s face it, if there’s one thing Meghan didn’t sign up for, it’s the heavy lifting of royal duties. Charity events? Sure. Royal tours? Fine. But without a grand entry and an adoring public? That’s a hard pass.
Interestingly, Anne might not even be aware of how her words come across as a slapdown. Or perhaps she knows exactly what she’s doing. Take, for instance, her low-key trip to New York City—a masterclass in royal duty with minimal fuss. Unlike a certain couple who shall remain unnamed, Anne traveled on a commercial flight with just one assistant and no entourage. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan remain embroiled in a legal battle over their security demands in the UK, insisting on police protection whenever they make an appearance—even though they’re no longer working royals.
To Anne, this is clearly laughable. She’s flying economy and carrying her own bags, while her nephew and his wife are caught up in a never-ending debate over how many bodyguards they can bring to Wimbledon. Many royal watchers believe that Anne’s discreet travel style is a subtle rebuke to the Sussexes. By demonstrating that even senior royals can manage without an entire security detail, Anne may be questioning why two people who stepped away from royal duties need one at all.
Princess Anne has quietly taken on the role of the monarchy’s unofficial straight shooter. Her quiet yet calculated comments reveal her strong stance on duty, while Harry and Meghan continue to demand VIP treatment. In the meantime, Anne keeps racking up frequent flyer miles—on commercial flights, no less.
