Meghan Markle and Persistent Rumors of Royal Ambitions: Fact-Checking the Claim She Believes “the Crown Is Never Truly Out of Reach”
In the ever-churning world of royal gossip, headlines occasionally surface claiming dramatic insights into the minds of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. One such recent rumor, circulating in tabloid circles as of early 2026, suggests that Meghan Markle reportedly believes she “could still be Queen” and that the British crown remains “never truly out of reach.” This narrative often ties into older speculations about her supposed ambitions within the monarchy, amplified by royal commentators and sensational media outlets. However, a thorough review of credible sources reveals no verifiable evidence supporting this specific claim in recent years. Instead, it appears rooted in longstanding tabloid tropes, outdated commentary, and misinterpretations of the British line of succession.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been a figure of intense public scrutiny since marrying Prince Harry in 2018. Their decision to step back from senior royal duties in 2020—dubbed “Megxit”—and relocate to California marked a definitive shift toward independent ventures. Since then, the couple has focused on media productions, philanthropy through their Archewell Foundation, and commercial endeavors like Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever (formerly teased as American Riviera Orchard). Yet, persistent rumors about a potential return to royal life or lingering ambitions for higher titles continue to emerge, often fueled by anonymous “sources” in British tabloids.
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The Origins of the Rumor
The phrase “I Could Still Be Queen” or variations implying Meghan harbors ongoing beliefs about ascending to a queenly role do not appear in any direct quotes from the Duchess herself in recent reporting. Searches across major news outlets, including those from 2025 and early 2026, yield no confirmed articles attributing such a statement to her or close associates. Older pieces from 2018–2024 frequently debunk or contextualize similar speculations:
Pre-wedding and early marriage articles (e.g., from Cosmopolitan and Yahoo in 2018) explicitly stated that Meghan could never become the reigning Queen, though theoretically a Queen Consort if Harry ascended—an unlikely scenario given his position in the line of succession.
Post-2020 commentary, such as from royal author Tom Bower in 2024, claimed Meghan “wants to be the Queen,” contrasting her with Kate Middleton (now Princess of Wales). Bower suggested jealousy over Kate’s popularity and success, but this was opinion-based, not a direct report of Meghan’s beliefs.
Sensational YouTube videos and fringe outlets in late 2025 referenced extreme hypotheticals like “one plane crash away,” but these lack substantiation from reputable journalists.
No mainstream news from 2025 or 2026—such as Vanity Fair’s in-depth cover on the Sussexes’ business ambitions or reports on Meghan’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan—mentions any current belief on her part that the crown remains attainable. Instead, coverage emphasizes her pivot to entrepreneurship and lifestyle content.
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Meghan Markle Reveals First American Riviera Orchard Product
The Reality of the Line of Succession
To address the core of the rumor: Could Meghan ever become Queen? The answer, based on established British constitutional rules, is unequivocally no for the reigning position, and extraordinarily improbable for Queen Consort.
The British throne follows primogeniture (now absolute, favoring the eldest child regardless of gender since 2013 reforms). As of January 2026:
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King Charles III
Prince William, Prince of Wales
Prince George
Princess Charlotte
Prince Louis
Prince Harry
Prince Archie
Princess Lilibet
And so on. Meghan, as Harry’s wife, is not in the line of succession herself. She would only become Queen Consort (like Queen Camilla) if Harry became King—a scenario requiring the improbable demise or abdication of all ahead of him. Experts and historians consistently describe this as “slim to none,” with no indication of changes to succession laws.
Articles from sources like Geo.tv (2022) and AmoMama (2025) reiterate: “Markle cannot become Queen,” emphasizing bloodline requirements.
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Meghan’s Current Path: Independence Over Royalty
Far from plotting a royal comeback, Meghan’s 2025 activities paint a picture of someone firmly entrenched in American life and business:
She relaunched on Instagram on January 1, 2025, with a personal video, quickly gaining millions of followers.
Her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan premiered to mixed reviews but marked a return to on-screen work.
The As Ever brand expanded with products tied to hospitality and home goods, signaling focus on commercial growth in 2026.
Joint appearances with Harry, such as at Invictus Games events, highlight philanthropy over palace intrigue.
Reports of reconciliation efforts (e.g., Harry’s reported desires for more UK visits in 2026) exist, but these center on family ties, not resuming duties or pursuing titles. King Charles has reportedly set conditions for any deeper involvement, but no sources link this to Meghan’s alleged queenly aspirations.
Expert predictions for 2026 suggest Meghan will “build and grow” in lifestyle and food sectors, possibly with a recipe book, rather than royal re-engagement.
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Why Do These Rumors Persist?
Royal watching thrives on drama, and the Sussexes provide endless material. British media, often critical post-Megxit, amplifies narratives of ambition or discord. Commentators like Angela Levin have claimed Harry believes Meghan should “take over as Queen” instead of Kate, but these are unsubstantiated opinions. Reddit threads and gossip sites recycle ideas of Meghan wanting “Princess Meghan” status, echoing pre-2020 misunderstandings.
In reality, the couple’s actions—staff changes at Archewell, solo engagements, and U.S.-based projects—indicate closure on full royal life. As one 2025 Vanity Fair profile noted, they are pursuing “big business ambitions” five years post-exit.
Conclusion: Gossip vs. Evidence
The claim that Meghan Markle reportedly believes “I could still be Queen” or that the crown is “never truly out of reach” lacks foundation in verified reporting as of January 2026. It stems from recycled tabloid speculation, constitutional impossibilities, and interpretive leaps by critics. While royal rumors will undoubtedly continue—especially with milestones like potential UK visits or brand expansions ahead—the evidence points to Meghan embracing a post-royal identity centered on family, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.
The British monarchy endures with its current structure, and the Sussexes appear content charting their own course across the Atlantic. In an era of click-driven media, distinguishing fact from fiction remains essential for understanding figures like Meghan Markle.
