Even Royals Get Ghosted: Meghan Markle Famously Snubbed Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's Advice After the Pair Once 'Talked for Hours'
Meghan Markle is infamous for ghosting people, and Sophie, the then-Countess of Wessex, is perhaps the most famous ghostee in Markle's repertoire. This became apparent after Prince Edward's wife tried to "assist" the former actress by talking to her about the expectations of royal life before the Suits star wed Prince Harry in May 2018.
"It was just the two of them, and they talked for hours," an insider spilled. "Meghan had so many questions, and Sophie, who knows what it’s like navigating your way through the early days of transition from a commoner to a royal, gave freely of her advice."
They continued: "Sophie found Meghan likable and engaging, and told her that she could call her any time when she needed advice about dealing with some of the trickier royals."
Sophie Rhys-Jones married Queen Elizabeth II's youngest child, Prince Edward, in 1999 and went on to become Her late Majesty's rumored "favorite daughter-in-law." As a tried and true commoner, just like Sarah Ferguson and Kate Middleton, the Countess of Wessex allegedly felt that she was "well-qualified" to guide Meghan's transition to British royalty. Furthermore, the late Queen was instrumental in guiding Sophie to assist Meghan in how to be a princess.
"The Queen (who, of course, had seen it all before) understood Harry's girl might find adjusting to royal life 'challenging to begin with' (as she put it). 'It is very jolty, but you soon get used to it' — that was Her Majesty's experience going back many years," Gyles Brandreth, author of Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, dished.
"To help Meghan, the Queen suggested that her daughter-in-law, Sophie Wessex, would be an ideal mentor. 'Sophie can help show you the ropes,' said the Queen. Meghan made it clear that she did not feel she needed Sophie's help. She had Harry," he wrote.
Her Royal Highness commented on the Montecito Duchess in a rare 2020 interview with a publication. "Remember, I’d had five years to adjust [to royal life]. And for our six-month engagement, I was even staying at Buckingham Palace. Not that you necessarily know how it will pan out."
She also signaled her support for the royal rebels after "Megxit" that same year by adding, "I just hope they will be happy," before reaffirming, "we all try to help any new members of the family."
After the explosive March 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, the Earl and Countess of Wessex were interviewed by a publication that asked them about the tell-all. They jokingly replied: "Oprah who?" and "what interview?"
The Duchess of Edinburgh to be then slyly shared: "You know, if you're not into chat shows, there's no reason why you should know who she is. Certainly not this country, anyway."
Daily Mirror reported on the insider revelations.