Maher began the segment by referencing Meghan’s ongoing public image struggles and recent media appearances, including her podcast ambitions, business ventures, and what he dubbed her “never-ending royal exit tour.” He joked, “At this point, Meghan’s not stepping down from the royal family — she’s launching a brand off of it. She’s like if Disney made a princess who quit halfway through the movie to start a wellness blog.”
The comedian didn’t hold back, poking fun at Meghan’s frequent critiques of the royal institution. “She keeps saying she wants privacy,” Maher quipped. “But somehow she ends up on the cover of Time, Variety, The Cut, and Oprah’s couch. I’ve seen less coverage at the Super Bowl!”
The audience erupted in laughter as Maher continued his routine, drawing comparisons between Markle and other celebrities known for oversharing. “I’m not saying she’s wrong about the royals being stuffy,” Maher said. “But if I wanted to hear a rich person complain about how hard it is to be famous, I’d just call Gwyneth Paltrow.”
Social media quickly lit up with reactions. Fans of Maher praised his fearless approach, saying it was “about time someone called her out.” One viral tweet read, “Bill Maher just said everything we’ve all been thinking about Meghan but were too scared to say out loud. Legendary.” Others applauded his comedic timing and boldness in tackling a topic many celebrities treat with kid gloves.
However, not everyone was laughing. Markle’s supporters criticized the segment as “cruel” and “tone-deaf,” arguing that Maher was minimizing legitimate concerns Meghan has raised about mental health and racism within the royal family. Some accused Maher of punching down and ignoring the larger social context of Markle’s experiences.
Still, Maher remained unfazed by the backlash. A source close to the show noted that Maher “stands by the jokes” and sees his role as a satirist — someone who pokes fun at the powerful, regardless of public opinion. “Bill doesn’t believe in sacred cows,” the source said. “If you’re in the spotlight, you’re fair game.”
Whether you find Maher’s remarks hilarious or harsh, one thing’s for sure: he’s once again sparked a national conversation, blurring the lines between comedy and critique. In classic Maher fashion, he’s managed to take a polarizing figure and turn her into comedic gold — and, predictably, divided the internet along the way.