Royal expert Hugo Vickers previously noted that Harry himself bears similarities to Edward VIII, observing in 2022 that both men “radiated the same sadness after cutting their links with the royal family.” He added that both chose “the path of perceived happiness” by following their wives, even if it meant exile from the royal fold.

A Loaded Comparison

For Meghan, being likened to Wallis Simpson is particularly brutal given Simpson’s enduring reputation. After Edward abdicated, the couple settled in France, where Wallis became one of the most vilified figures in the royal family.

The Queen Mother is said to have harbored a lifelong vendetta against her, ensuring she was denied the style of “Her Royal Highness.” Historian Anna Sebba has explained that stripping Simpson of the title was a deliberate humiliation. “Nobody would curtsey to Wallis if they came back to England,” she said, calling the move both a snub and a form of exile.

Edward reportedly fought the decision, insisting he couldn’t bring his wife back to Britain if she were to be treated with such disrespect. But the restriction stood, cementing the couple’s outsider status.

Now, decades later, the comparison between Meghan and Wallis shows just how deeply royal history still shadows the present — and how even in death, Prince Philip’s sharp tongue continues to spark drama.