Internet says Stephen Colbert got ‘Markled’ as close ties to Harry and Meghan called out amid cancellation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As news of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s cancellation continues to ripple across the media world, royal-watchers and online critics are pointing fingers, not at ratings or network decisions, but at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Some observers speculate that the comedian’s close ties to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle along with his repeated jabs at Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the broader British royal family may have contributed to the show’s downfall.

Stephen Colbert's ties to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spark backlash after 'The Late Show' cancellation

“Markled – After his joining in on the 'Where's Kate' crap, mocked the Monarchy when Harry came to visit, Stephen Colbert announces CBS is ending,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), while referencing the 61-year-old host’s 2023 interview with Prince Harry.

Others resurfaced clips from that appearance, including the two drinking tequila and joking about Harry’s frostbitten “royal jewels,” moments some deemed too flippant for prime-time political satire.

“Karma is wonderful. Colbert has been Markled,” one user wrote, sharing a screenshot of a March 2024 article detailing how English aristocrat Rose Hanbury had issued a legal notice to Colbert over his jokes referencing her rumored affair with Prince William.

A commentator chimed in, “'I’ve never been happier to witness someone’s demise. Stephen Colbert deserves what’s coming to him,” pairing the remark with an article titled, "Stephen Colbert's 'Distasteful' Kate Middleton Jokes When She 'Went Missing.'”

Another royal watcher remarked, “Delighted to see Stephen Colbert markled today. I thought that when he interviewed Prince Harry on his show that he acted like a complete slime ball and never once looked for 'honesty' with Harry. I have never liked him since, it's nice to see Karma come calling.”

A user penned, “As Colbert gets cancelled, here’s Harry on the show proudly bragging about his ginger genes besting Markle’s — AFTER they dramatically revealed on Oprah that someone in his family dared to wonder the same, therefore racism. He’s mind-blowingly stupid.”

Stephen Colbert made fun of Prince William and Kate Middleton

Stephen Colbert has been one of the few late-night hosts to openly champion Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on air. While supportive of the couple, he also repeatedly ridiculed Prince William and Kate, particularly during their long absence from public view in early 2024.

Those jokes, especially the ones tied to Kate’s disappearance from the public eye, later revealed to be related to her cancer diagnosis, were met with fierce criticism.

During a March 2024 monologue, Colbert stirred controversy by mocking the rumors surrounding Kate's public absence.

“The kingdom has been all a flutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well, now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate's absence may be related to her husband and the future King of England, William, having an affair,” he said. 

During the interview, the two also shared a light moment about Prince Harry and Meghan’s children both inheriting red hair.

Harry quipped, “I actually genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship that should this go the distance and then we have kids, there is no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife's genes and I was wrong.”