Meghan Markle is reportedly unhappy following a joke made about her on Saturday Night Live, and according to those familiar with her thinking, the fallout could affect her relationship with the network that aired it. The comment, delivered during the Weekend Update segment by Colin Jost, referenced Meghan in a royal-themed bit involving King Charles III and Prince Harry. Those close to her say she did not take it lightly.
The joke, which drew on sharp language to describe the duchess, landed differently than typical celebrity ribbing. People in her circle describe her reaction as one of genuine hurt rather than passing irritation, suggesting she viewed the moment as an intentional slight rather than harmless comedy. That distinction, for Meghan, appears to matter a great deal.
Why Meghan may be pulling back from NBC
According to those familiar with her media relationships, Meghan’s response to feeling publicly targeted tends to follow a recognizable pattern. Rather than pushing back directly or engaging in public dispute, she is said to quietly withdraw access and distance herself from the outlets she feels have treated her unfairly.
Sources suggest this is precisely what is now happening with NBC. The network is said to be receiving the same treatment she has previously extended to other major media outlets following coverage she found one-sided or unkind. For Meghan, the perceived mockery appears to cross a line that comedy alone cannot excuse.
Archie turns seven amid the noise
Away from the media tension, Meghan recently turned her attention to something far more joyful. Her son, Prince Archie of Sussex, celebrated his seventh birthday on May 6, and the duchess marked the occasion with a rare and warm social media tribute. The post featured intimate family photographs, including an early image of Prince Harry cradling a newborn Archie and another of Archie walking along the beach with his younger sister, Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
The glimpse into their family life was a reminder of the quieter existence Meghan and Harry have been building in Montecito, California, since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Both have spoken about wanting their children to grow up with a degree of normalcy and space to develop their own identities, a priority that clearly shapes how they approach family milestones.
Harry on fatherhood and breaking cycles
Prince Harry has been open about how his own upbringing continues to shape the kind of parent he strives to be. During a recent event in Australia focused on men’s health, he reflected on fatherhood and the ways in which his experience growing up in the public eye has influenced his approach to raising Archie and Lilibet.
He spoke about the importance of personal growth in parenting and acknowledged the role therapy has played in his own development. Harry framed it not as a criticism of how he was raised but as a commitment to doing things differently, particularly when it comes to shielding his children from the pressures he faced as a young royal.
A quiet moment in Chicago
Meghan also made a low-profile solo trip to Chicago earlier this month to attend the First Communion of her godson, the son of a close friend from her university years. The ceremony was held at Holy Name Cathedral on May 2, and Meghan was photographed among the other families in attendance, sitting in the pews without any special arrangements or separate access.
She traveled alone, kept the visit understated and returned to California shortly after the service, a quiet and personal moment that stood in striking contrast to the media noise surrounding the SNL story.
