The Queen gives Meghan’s old job to Camilla in Royal snub

Queen Elizabeth II is getting her affairs in order, handing Camilla a symbolic victory in the reported feud with Meghan Markle.

Queen Elizabeth II has given Meghan Markle’s old job to Camilla in the latest sign the Sussexes may never return to official Royal duties.

The Duchess of Cornwell and future Queen Consort was named as Royal Patron of Britain’s National Theatre just days after claims emerged that Meghan would refuse to curtsy to her stepmother.

The announcement is highly symbolic as it’s the first former patronage of Meghan Markle to be reappointed since she and Prince Harry quit the Royal Family to work for an internet video streaming company.

The patronage itself was also a source of tension it was handed to Meghan ahead of Camilla, an avid lover of the arts, in 2019, when royal sources told The Times: “She really wanted it. She was pretty miffed when it went to Meghan”.

Britain's Prince Charles, Camilla, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Harry in 2018, before the Sussexes left the Royal family. Picture: AFP.

Meghan appeared at one official event at the National Theatre before stepping down in March 2020, and it was among the patronages taken away from both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2021.

In their infamous Oprah Winfrey interview, they both said they would still support their charities albeit without their official titles.

“I am hurt. But at the same time, I completely respect my grandmother’s decision,” Harry said.

“We’re still doing it. We’re still going to always do the work,” Meghan added.

The announcement of Meghan’s first patronage being reappointed to Camilla comes shortly after sources revealed Meghan would not curtsy to the Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King.

Harry and Meghan were publicly silent when the Queen announced, but Royal insiders told Heat they were both “reeling” about the decision.

“There’s a feeling of bad blood that goes both ways,” one source said.

“I don’t think we will see them bowing or curtsying to Camilla, or referring to her in regal terms,” says our source. “They will no doubt choose to stay silent on the whole matter and pretend it’s not bothering them. But it is.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall. Picture: PA Wire.

The Duchess of Cornwall was reportedly "suspicious" of Meghan Markle when she married Prince Harry in 2018 and allegedly called her "that minx," according to royal biographer Tom Bower.

"She found it hard to believe that Meghan would sacrifice her career and independence to serve silently as a team player devoted to the monarchy," he told The Sun.

"Camilla is the sort who would refer to Meghan as 'that minx' - the self-seeking troublemaker whose antics will always end in tears".

Originally published as The Queen gives Meghan’s old job to Camilla in Royal snub