Why Meghan Markle Didn’t Visit Cancer-Striken King Charles, Ex-butler Explained

In the wake of King Charles III’s recent cancer diagnosis, the world watched as members of the royal family rallied around him.

However, one notable absence was Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the reason behind her decision not to visit the ailing monarch has been a subject of speculation.

Now, Grant Harrold, a former butler to the King, sheds light on this matter, suggesting that Meghan’s decision was a conscious one and that this was a journey her husband, Prince Harry, needed to make alone.

King Charles visits the new Emergency Service Station on February 15, 2018 in Durham, England | Source: Getty Images
The British monarchy was recently rocked by the news that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. Buckingham Palace made the announcement on February 5, 2024, revealing that the monarch had begun a regimen of regular treatments as an outpatient after the cancer was discovered during his treatment for an enlarged prostate.

King Charles seen on May 8, 2015 in Dorchester, Dorset | Source: Getty Images
The specific type of cancer remains undisclosed, but it has been confirmed that it is not prostate cancer. Despite the daunting circumstances, the King expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support and well-wishes he has received from the public and international community and remains optimistic about his recovery.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
This news comes over three years after his son, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, made the decision to step back from their royal duties and relocate to North America. Their departure was a result of feeling unsupported and unprotected by the royal institution and the media.

Meghan, Duchess at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
They faced constant scrutiny, criticism, and harassment from the press, which significantly impacted their mental health and well-being. The couple’s decision to step back from their royal duties was met with resistance from the royal family. Harry shared that he had proposed a “half in, half out” approach, where they could have their own jobs but also work in support of the Queen. However, this proposal was quickly dismissed.

Meghan, Duchess at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
In the Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries, Meghan described their life within the royal family as being in a controlled bubble. She shared, “I couldn’t even text my friends a photo.” Harry added that Meghan’s experience was different from others in the family, and it was unfair to expect her to endure the same pressures.