In her most candid and reflective interview since stepping away from royal duties in 2020, Meghan Markle has openly questioned why Britain continues to reject her, expressed cautious hope for reconciliation, and delivered a powerful statement about the cultural heritage of her children, Archie and Lilibet, that has resonated deeply with supporters and reignited debate across the UK.
Speaking to The Cut magazine in a wide-ranging conversation published today, Meghan addressed the persistent criticism and public scrutiny she has faced since marrying Prince Harry in 2018. “I’ve spent years trying to understand why I’m still seen as the outsider who doesn’t belong,” she said. “I gave everything I had to serve the institution with grace and sincerity. I adapted, I learned, I showed up. And yet the rejection never stopped. At some point you have to ask: is it really about me, or is it about something bigger that refuses to change?”
The Duchess described the experience as “exhausting and isolating,” particularly for a biracial American woman entering one of the world’s oldest institutions. She highlighted the contrast between the warm reception she received in many Commonwealth countries and the relentless negativity in parts of the British press and public discourse. “I still believe in the potential for change,” she added. “I see it in younger generations, in the conversations happening now. I have hope — not blind hope, but real, earned hope — that things can evolve.”
Perhaps the most striking moment came when Meghan spoke about her children’s heritage. “Archie and Lilibet carry African-American, British, and global roots in their blood,” she said. “They are part of the royal family, part of the Commonwealth family, and part of a much wider human family. I want them to grow up knowing all of it — the beauty, the complexity, the pride — without ever being told they don’t fully belong in any of those spaces. That is the legacy I’m fighting for.”
The comments have been interpreted by supporters as a direct challenge to the Palace’s handling of the couple’s titles and their children’s place in the line of succession. Archie and Lilibet are technically Prince and Princess as grandchildren of a reigning monarch, but the Palace has not publicly used the HRH style for them, citing the 2020 agreement that saw Harry and Meghan step back from senior royal roles. Meghan’s words appear to push back against any suggestion that her children should be treated differently because of their parents’ choices.
Royal commentators have reacted with a mix of admiration and caution. “She’s reframing the conversation around identity and belonging in a way that’s impossible to ignore,” said royal biographer Omid Scobie. “Whether the Palace engages or not, she’s speaking directly to a younger, more diverse audience that increasingly questions old traditions.”
The Palace has not issued an official response, maintaining its long-standing policy of not commenting on private family matters. King Charles III, Prince William, and other senior royals have focused on their own public duties in recent weeks, with no public mention of Harry, Meghan, or their children.
For Meghan, the interview marks a shift toward more open, reflective commentary rather than direct confrontation. She emphasized hope over anger, legacy over conflict, and the future of her children over past grievances. “I don’t want Archie and Lilibet to grow up feeling they have to choose sides or prove they belong,” she said. “I want them to know they already do — fully, completely, and without apology.”
As the Sussexes continue building their life in California through Archewell, media projects, and philanthropy, Meghan’s latest words have reignited discussions about race, identity, and the monarchy’s ability to evolve. Whether they lead to change within the institution or further distance remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Meghan Markle is no longer willing to let the narrative of rejection define her story — or her children’s future.
