Meghan Markle was 'banned' from key royal family summit over fears that she's 'smarter' than Prince Harry

LONDON, UK: A new Channel 5 documentary has reignited debate over Meghan Markle’s exclusion from a key royal meeting that determined her and Prince Harry’s future within the monarchy.

A royal commentator suggested that the decision may have stemmed from concerns that she was “smarter” than her husband, the Mirror reported.

New documentary revisits tensions behind the Sandringham Summit

Titled 'Megxit: Inside the Sandringham Summit', the documentary explores the high-stakes family meeting held in January 2020 after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back as senior royals.

While Queen Elizabeth, then Prince Charles, and Prince William were present for the talks with Harry at the Queen's Sandringham estate, Meghan was notably absent.

Though Meghan had hoped to dial in remotely from Canada, where she had returned to be with baby Archie, the request was denied, forcing Prince Harry to face the royal establishment alone.

From the documentary, journalist Emily Andrews suggested Meghan’s absence wasn’t simply logistical, but strategic.

“They all knew Meghan was probably smarter, brighter, had a more linear view of where she and Harry were going,” Andrews said. “And they probably thought they would get a better outcome with just Harry in the room.”

Other royal commentators in the program backed this theory. Charlotte Griffiths noted, “On that, I sort of agree with her,” referencing Meghan’s frustration over being excluded from a meeting that directly impacted her future.

The Duchess of Sussex expressed her frustration over being excluded from the meeting, which directly affected her future. In the couple’s Netflix docuseries, she said, “Imagine a roundtable discussion about the future of your life, when the stakes are this high, and you as the mom, the wife, and the target in many regards, aren't invited to have a seat at the table.”

Royal expert Jack Royston shared a similar perspective, expressing empathy for Meghan. “I have a lot of sympathy for Meghan," he said. “Watching from afar as this all played out basically having no voice in the room.”

On the other hand, royal commentator Richard Kay offered a different viewpoint in the documentary. He explained that senior royals and their aides had concerns about Meghan's presence, saying, “They would have no way of knowing who else would have been in the room with Meghan, would there have been someone making notes? They simply couldn't allow that.”

Prince Philip saw Harry and Meghan’s departure as a 'dereliction of duty'

As senior members of the royal family gathered at Sandringham to navigate the fallout from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from royal life, one figure was conspicuously absent: Prince Philip, reported Radar Online.

The late Duke of Edinburgh reportedly left the estate in anger before the meeting began, unwilling to face his grandson over what he considered a severe breach of royal duty.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Philip viewed the couple’s announcement made without prior consultation with the Queen as a deep betrayal. “He thought it was a huge dereliction of duty,” royal commentator Emily Andrews said in the new Channel 5 documentary. “He refused to even be there. He just couldn't bring himself to see his grandson.”

Throughout his life, Prince Philip was known for his unwavering commitment to the Crown. Having given up his naval career to support Queen Elizabeth, Philip reportedly struggled to understand why Meghan couldn't do the same for Harry and the monarchy.

Despite his frustration, Philip’s bond with Harry remained meaningful. He had played a crucial role in supporting his grandson after the loss of Princess Diana, even walking beside him in the funeral procession. 

Following their move to North America and eventual relocation to California, Harry and Meghan pursued media and philanthropic projects outside of royal structures. But when Prince Philip died in April 2021 at age 99, Harry returned to the UK to honor his grandfather.

In a heartfelt tribute, Harry remembered Philip, “He was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end.”