Graham Norton once made a savage remark about Meghan Markle on his own TV show before giving another brutal verdict over the royal years later.

While the Duchess of Sussex has never appeared on the chat show herself, she and Prince Harry were subject to comments after they left The Firm in 2020.

The unprecedented decision caused shockwaves across the world, and was the beginning of a rift within the royal family that remains ripped open.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now live in America (Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

Graham Norton on Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family in January 2020 – which Graham Norton used for material on his show.

At the time, the couple said: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to support Her Majesty The Queen.”

During an episode of his show, Graham Norton poked fun at the couple leaving, and said people had been “expecting” it from Meghan Markle.

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surname drama explained and how royal family would take ‘action’

He compared the Sussexes to people leaving their jobs after Christmas and “tell their boss to stick it”.

While showing a photo of the couple, he said: “In fairness, people have been expecting this from Meghan for a while.

“You win the lottery, then you quit.”

Then he referenced how £2.4 million of public funds were used to refurbish Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where the duo lived. However, the couple later confirmed they had paid this money back after leaving for America.

Graham Norton didn’t hesitate to crack a joke about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving The Firm (Credit: Sue Andrews/Cover Images)

Bonus for ‘William and Kate’

But it wasn’t the first time Graham Norton spoke about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The comedian was invited onto Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in September 2023, where he gave his verdict on their popularity in the UK.

While discussing the saga surrounding the Sussexes, he said it pushed Prince William and Kate Middleton into higher places in regards to how they are perceived by the public.

Andy asked him: “Since you can speak for all Brits, what would you say is the overriding feeling about Harry and Meghan over there at this point?”

Read more: Valid reason Meghan Markle is ‘not a princess’ despite calling herself one

Graham replied:”Well, it’s difficult. I think in the press, it is very anti-them and it has been sort of a gift to William and Kate because now they are like deified and can do no wrong.

“But do regular people care that much? I don’t think they do. I think they just think let them live their lives.”