King Charles Talking To Meghan Markle 'Fills Him With Dread,' Royal Expert Says
Meghan Markle's relationship with her father-in-law King Charles III apparently remains strained as a royal expert claimed that even just the idea of talking to her makes the monarch feel apprehensive.
Royal author Tom Quinn made the claim while discussing King Charles' potential plans for his grandson Prince Archie's 5th birthday Monday, which reportedly include talking to him by phone and sending him a homemade gift.
Speaking to the Mirror, Quinn claimed that the King allegedly prefers phone calls over video calls when it comes to communicating with the Sussex family as the former would allow him to avoid talking to Markle.
"Charles [has] been asking about video calling, but according to his aides, he's uncomfortable with the idea. If he makes an ordinary telephone call to Harry it means he can have a quick word with Archie without the need to talk to Meghan, a prospect that fills him with dread."
Not much is known about the Duchess of Sussex's relationship with her father-in-law.
But royal biographer and correspondent Omid Scobie told People last year that their relationship had somewhat thawed, and the line of communication was open between King Charles and the Sussexes.
“I was surprised to learn that even Meghan has some sort of correspondence with Charles, sending over photos of the children [Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet], although they’re not directly to him. So there is a willingness there," the "Finding Freedom" author claimed.
King Charles walked Markle down the aisle at her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry in place of her father, Thomas Markle Sr., who canceled his attendance last minute due to heart surgery.
However, it was reported that Markle and Prince Harry became estranged from the royal family, including the King, after quitting royal duties and moving to California in 2020.
Markle last saw King Charles in person during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London in 2022. She skipped his May 2023 coronation and did not join Prince Harry when he visited his father in February following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.
But the former "Suits" star did give the King an affectionate appraisal in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan," describing him as "very charming."
King Charles also expressed his "love" for his younger son and his daughter-in-law during his first speech as monarch in 2022.
However, Markle and King Charles will not reunite anytime soon as the Duchess of Sussex will not join her husband when Prince Harry returns to London this week to attend the celebrations surrounding the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The Telegraph reported, citing unnamed sources, that King Charles could meet with Prince Harry during the upcoming visit if their schedules permit.
Following Prince Harry's engagements in London, he and Markle will head to Nigeria, where they are expected to meet with service members and take part in cultural activities, People reported.
Ahead of the couple's trips, they celebrated their son Prince Archie's 5th birthday at home in Montecito along with their 2-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet.
