Meghan Markle Is Blasted For Wiping Away ‘Crocodile Tears’ At The Queen’s Funeral: ‘In Full Actress Mode’

Another day, another attack directed at Meghan Markle— the Duchess of Sussex, 40, was photographed shedding tears while attending Queen Elizabeth II‘s funeral Monday morning (which many understand is inherently a sad event), and some Twitter users are dubbing this to be an “acting method.” Others are insisting that Markle and husband Prince Harry are in a mourning period, and that any and all tears are “sincere.”

The former Suits star is being accused online of “fake crying” and “putting on a performance” while seemingly becoming emotional at the monarch’s send-off. As the Queen’s coffin was transferred into a hearse at Wellington Arch earlier this week, Markle’s lip quivered and she appeared to wipe away tears. The mom of two donned a black Stella McCartney dress, an oversized black hat and wore her brunette locks into an updo, which drew attention to her diamond-and-pearl earrings that the late monarch gifted her.

The royal’s casket departed for its final journey to Windsor Castle as Markle and Harry watched pallbearers lift the coffin from the State Gun Carriage and load it into the back of a Jaguar hearse. While Harry was seen crying “understandable tears for his grandmother,” as some on Twitter are saying, there was a clear divide as to whether Markle’s expressions were “genuine.”

One user, after seeing images of the Sussexes at the funeral tweeted, “Duchess of Sussex wipes her eye as she and Harry watch Queen’s funeral. Amazing performance!! Crocodile tears!! With all those cameras she knew the odds were good that she would be seen!! Cold and calculating!!” Another user had a completely different take, writing, “Already seeing articles of Meghan Markle crying, with people calling them crocodile tears, but when she had a slight smile she was smirking?? The reach in this country is unreal.” 

As Twitter continues to include very different views of Markle and her tears at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, some users are sharing images of the Archetypes podcaster and the Queen in happier times, and recalling how Markle has always had “nothing but nice things” to say about the monarch, and vice versa.

The Bench author was introduced to the Queen in 2017, just before she and Harry announced their engagement that fall. After the couple officially wed in May 2018, it seemed that Markle’s relationship with the Queen only grew stronger from there.  “[Her Majesty] has a brilliant sense of humor. That’s one of the first things that brought her and Meghan closer,” a source reportedly told Us Weekly in June 2018 after Markle joined the royal matriarch for a solo appearance. “It’s that warm side of her that has made Meghan feel so at ease.”

In her March 2021 CBS tell-all interview, Markle opened up about her trip to Cheshire, England, with the monarch, and explained that it was more relaxed and sweet than many might have suspected. “We were in the car going between engagements. And she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth, and it was chilly,” Markle recalled. “And she was like, ‘Meghan, come on,’ and put it over my knees as well. … And it made me think of my grandmother, where she’s always been warm and inviting and really welcoming.”

While it seemed that they started off on the right foot, many started to theorize that Markle’s bond with her grandmother-in-law hit a low point after she and Harry announced in January 2020 their plans to step away from their senior royal duties. One year later, the couple revealed that they would not be returning as working royals and remain living in California, and the Queen reportedly wanted them to return, despite insisting in a statement that she accepted their decision.

In Markle and Harry’s infamous Oprah Winfrey interview, the Archewell founder aired her grievances with the monarchy and its alleged racism and the horrific qualms an unnamed royal family member had with the possibility of their child’s skin color, but still had nice words for the Queen. “The Queen has always been wonderful to me. I’ve loved being in her company,” Markle said, noting that the Queen reminded her of her own grandmother. “She’s always been warm, welcoming and inviting.

Other fans continue to point out that Markle and Harry named their 1-year-old daughter Lilibet after a childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth, and that “becoming emotional” at a funeral for their child’s namesake, and such a beloved public figure, is “expected and normal.”