The story of Piers Morgan Meghan Markle is one of the more unusual celebrity-media relationships of recent years. Before Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, she and British broadcaster Piers Morgan had met in London and exchanged messages. Morgan initially spoke positively about her and even described her as a strong potential addition to the royal family.
That relationship changed dramatically after Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public. Morgan later became one of Meghan’s most outspoken critics, particularly following the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. His comments on Good Morning Britain triggered a major television controversy, an Ofcom investigation, and ultimately his departure from the programme.
So, what actually happened between Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle? The answer involves an initial friendship, a breakdown in communication, years of criticism, and one of the biggest broadcasting controversies of Morgan’s career.
Key Takeaways
- Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle first connected in 2016, before Meghan began dating Prince Harry.
- Morgan has said they exchanged messages and met for drinks in London.
- Morgan initially praised Meghan and described her positively after her relationship with Harry became public.
- Morgan later said Meghan stopped communicating with him after meeting Harry.
- His criticism intensified over the following years, particularly around Harry and Meghan’s public statements about royal life.
- In March 2021, Morgan’s reaction to the couple’s Oprah Winfrey interview led to an on-air confrontation and his departure from Good Morning Britain.
Biography Table
Piers Morgan
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Piers Stefan Pughe-Morgan |
| Date of Birth | March 30, 1965 |
| Age | 61 |
| Birthplace | Guildford, Surrey, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Broadcaster, journalist, television presenter and author |
| Education | Chailey School; further education at Harlow College |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Known For | Journalism, television presenting, Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan Uncensored |
| Major Achievements | Former editor of the Daily Mirror; television presenter and interviewer |
Meghan Markle
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachel Meghan Markle |
| Date of Birth | August 4, 1981 |
| Age | 45 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, author, public figure and entrepreneur |
| Education | Northwestern University |
| Years Active | 2002–present |
| Known For | Suits, marriage to Prince Harry, public and charitable work |
| Major Achievements | International acting career and work as a member of the British royal family before stepping back from royal duties |
Main Article
How Did Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle First Meet?
The history between Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle began before Meghan was widely known as Prince Harry’s partner.
According to Morgan’s later account, the two connected through social media and conversations related to Suits, the American legal drama in which Meghan played Rachel Zane. Morgan said they exchanged messages and discussed subjects ranging from television to Meghan’s work outside acting.
In June 2016, Meghan was in London and, according to Morgan, suggested meeting. They eventually had drinks at the Scarsdale Tavern in Kensington.
Morgan has described the meeting as relaxed and friendly. He said they talked for roughly 90 minutes before he put Meghan in a taxi to continue her evening in Mayfair.
That meeting is particularly significant because Meghan subsequently met Prince Harry that same evening, according to Morgan’s account.
At this stage, there was no public feud between them. In fact, Morgan’s public comments about Meghan were largely positive.
What Did Piers Morgan Think of Meghan Markle Initially?
Morgan’s early public assessment of Meghan was considerably different from his later criticism.
After Meghan and Harry’s relationship became known, Morgan wrote positively about her. He described her as intelligent, ambitious and confident and suggested she could be well suited to royal life.
This early period is important because it challenges the idea that Morgan had always been a critic of Meghan.
His relationship with her appears to have started on friendly terms. The change came later, after Morgan said communication between them stopped.
Why Did Piers Morgan Say Meghan Markle Ghosted Him?
One of the central parts of the Piers Morgan Meghan Markle story is Morgan’s claim that Meghan stopped communicating with him after their meeting.
Morgan has repeatedly described the situation as being “ghosted.” In his version of events, they had been exchanging messages before meeting in London, but he said he heard nothing further from Meghan afterward.
Morgan connected the timing to Meghan’s developing relationship with Prince Harry.
However, an important distinction should be made: this is Morgan’s account of what happened. Meghan has not publicly provided a detailed alternative version of the events surrounding their communication.
That distinction matters when discussing their relationship because many later narratives about their fallout have been based on Morgan’s interpretation of the early friendship.
When Did Piers Morgan Become a Critic of Meghan Markle?
Morgan’s attitude toward Meghan changed considerably over the following years.
As Harry and Meghan became increasingly prominent figures in the British media, Morgan began commenting frequently on their relationship, royal duties and public statements.
His criticism became particularly prominent after the couple stepped back from senior royal duties and moved to North America.
Morgan’s views were not limited to Meghan personally. He also became a broader critic of the couple’s approach to royal life, media coverage and their public interviews.
This helped turn what had once been a private social connection into a highly visible media story.
What Happened During the Oprah Interview Controversy?
The most important moment in the Piers Morgan Meghan Markle story came in March 2021.
Harry and Meghan gave a major interview to Oprah Winfrey in which Meghan discussed her experience within the royal family, including her mental health and suicidal thoughts. The couple also made serious claims about their treatment by the institution and discussed a conversation about the potential skin tone of their future child.
When Good Morning Britain discussed the interview, Morgan strongly challenged Meghan’s account.
He said he did not believe what she had said during the interview. His comments immediately generated controversy, particularly because Meghan had spoken publicly about experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The disagreement became a major television story.
Why Did Piers Morgan Leave Good Morning Britain?
Morgan’s comments did not remain a simple disagreement between a presenter and a celebrity.
On Good Morning Britain, Morgan became involved in a heated exchange with fellow presenter Alex Beresford, who challenged Morgan’s continued criticism of Meghan.
Morgan eventually walked off the programme during the live broadcast.
The following day, ITV announced that Morgan was leaving Good Morning Britain after discussions with the broadcaster.
The controversy also resulted in more than 40,000 complaints being made to Ofcom. ITV reported that Morgan had decided to leave the programme, while the broadcaster accepted his decision.
Morgan subsequently maintained that he stood by his right to express his opinion.
Did Ofcom Find Piers Morgan Guilty?
Not in the sense of finding that Good Morning Britain had breached the broadcasting code.
Ofcom investigated the programme following the large number of complaints. In September 2021, the regulator concluded that Morgan’s comments were potentially harmful and offensive but that they were permissible under the broadcasting rules because of freedom of expression.
This distinction is important.
Ofcom’s decision did not establish that Morgan’s opinions about Meghan were factually correct. Instead, it addressed whether the programme’s broadcast breached the relevant broadcasting code.
Therefore, the Ofcom ruling should not be interpreted as a confirmation of either Morgan’s or Meghan’s personal claims.
Has Meghan Markle Responded to Piers Morgan?
Meghan has generally not engaged publicly with Morgan’s criticism in the same way that Morgan has discussed her.
Contemporary reporting noted that Meghan had not publicly responded to many of Morgan’s comments about her.
There have, however, been important institutional developments. During the 2021 controversy, Meghan’s representatives complained to ITV about Morgan’s comments, particularly in relation to mental health.
The lack of an extended public back-and-forth from Meghan has contributed to the unusual dynamic between the two.
Morgan has continued to discuss Meghan publicly, while Meghan has generally not made their personal relationship a recurring subject of her own public commentary.
Was Piers Morgan Ever Friends With Meghan Markle?
The answer depends on how the word “friends” is defined.
Morgan has described Meghan as someone he communicated with regularly before meeting her in person. They shared drinks in London and, by his account, had a friendly conversation.
However, there is limited public evidence to suggest that they were close friends in the conventional sense.
It is more accurate to describe them as brief acquaintances who developed a friendly connection before Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public.
That distinction provides useful context for understanding everything that followed.
Why Is Their Relationship Still Discussed?
The Piers Morgan Meghan Markle story remains relevant because it combines several major elements of modern celebrity and media culture:
- A pre-royal friendship or acquaintance
- A sudden change in their relationship
- A high-profile royal marriage
- Years of media scrutiny
- Public disagreements
- Mental-health discussions
- Freedom-of-expression debates
- A major television controversy
It is also unusual because Morgan personally knew Meghan before she became one of the world’s most recognizable public figures.
That personal connection has frequently been used as context for his later opinions about her.
Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle: What Is Fact and What Is Interpretation?
When examining their history, separating documented events from personal interpretations is essential.
| Topic | What is established |
|---|---|
| They met in London | Morgan has publicly described their 2016 meeting |
| Meghan was dating Harry around this period | Their relationship became public later in 2016 |
| Morgan initially praised Meghan | His contemporary comments were positive |
| Morgan said communication stopped | This is Morgan’s account |
| Morgan later became a prominent critic | His television and newspaper commentary is well documented |
| The 2021 Good Morning Britain controversy occurred | Widely documented by ITV and other outlets |
| Morgan left Good Morning Britain | ITV confirmed his departure |
| Ofcom investigated the broadcast | The regulator subsequently issued its ruling |
| Ofcom found the comments permissible under broadcasting rules | Confirmed in the regulator’s 2021 decision |
The key lesson is that not every part of the story has the same evidentiary status. Some elements are documented events, while others are personal accounts or interpretations.
Has the Piers Morgan Meghan Markle Story Changed Over Time?
Yes. The story has evolved through several distinct stages.
Stage 1: A Friendly Connection
Morgan and Meghan communicated and met socially in 2016. Morgan’s early comments about her were positive.
Stage 2: The Relationship With Harry
Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public, placing her under substantially greater media attention.
Stage 3: The Reported Communication Breakdown
Morgan said that Meghan stopped communicating with him after their meeting.
Stage 4: Public Criticism
Morgan increasingly criticized Meghan and Harry as their relationship with the British royal family became a major subject of public debate.
Stage 5: The Oprah Interview
The couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah became the catalyst for Morgan’s most consequential public confrontation with the subject.
Stage 6: The Good Morning Britain Fallout
Morgan’s comments triggered a confrontation on the programme, his departure from Good Morning Britain, and an Ofcom investigation.
This timeline shows why their relationship is more complicated than a simple celebrity feud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Piers Morgan know Meghan Markle before Prince Harry?
Yes. Morgan has said that he communicated with Meghan in 2016 and met her for drinks in London before her relationship with Prince Harry became public.
Did Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle date?
There is no reliable evidence that Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle dated. Their publicly described relationship was a brief friendship or acquaintance that included online communication and a meeting for drinks.
Why does Piers Morgan criticize Meghan Markle?
Morgan’s criticism has developed over several years. He has publicly disagreed with Meghan’s accounts of royal life and has been particularly outspoken about interviews and statements made by Meghan and Prince Harry.
What happened between Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle in 2016?
Morgan said he and Meghan communicated before meeting for drinks in London. He later said that Meghan stopped communicating with him after that meeting. He has connected the timing with the beginning of her relationship with Prince Harry.
Why did Piers Morgan leave Good Morning Britain?
Morgan left Good Morning Britain in March 2021 following controversy over his comments about Meghan Markle’s Oprah Winfrey interview. His comments led to an on-air confrontation and more than 40,000 complaints to Ofcom.
Did Ofcom ban Piers Morgan from television?
No. Ofcom investigated the Good Morning Britain broadcast and concluded that the comments, while potentially harmful and offensive, were permissible under its broadcasting rules because of freedom of expression.
Has Meghan Markle publicly discussed her relationship with Piers Morgan?
Meghan has not made their brief 2016 connection a major part of her public narrative. Much of the publicly discussed history comes from Morgan’s own accounts and subsequent media reporting.
Are Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle still friends?
There is no good basis for describing them as friends today. Their relationship became publicly adversarial after the initial 2016 connection, with Morgan becoming a prominent critic of Meghan.
Conclusion
The Piers Morgan Meghan Markle story began very differently from how it later became known.
In 2016, Morgan and Meghan connected before she became a senior member of the British royal family. They exchanged messages and met for drinks in London, and Morgan initially spoke warmly about her. He later said their communication ended after that meeting.
Over time, Morgan became one of Meghan’s most prominent public critics. The disagreement reached its defining moment in 2021, when his reaction to Harry and Meghan’s Oprah Winfrey interview resulted in a heated Good Morning Britain confrontation and his departure from the programme. Ofcom later ruled that the controversial comments were permissible under broadcasting rules.
Ultimately, understanding what happened between Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle requires separating documented events from personal accounts and opinions. Their story is not simply about a celebrity feud; it also illustrates how a brief personal connection can become part of a much larger public conversation about royalty, journalism, mental health, media scrutiny and freedom of expression.
