Chris Rock has never been one to hold back — and in his explosive Netflix comedy special, Selective Outrage, he took aim at none other than Meghan Markle, leaving the audience gasping, laughing, and wildly applauding.
The legendary comedian delivered a no-holds-barred set, but it was his pointed — and hilarious — jokes about the Duchess of Sussex that stole the spotlight. With his trademark razor-sharp wit, Rock took the ongoing royal drama and flipped it into pure comedy gold.
Rock began by referencing Meghan and Prince Harry’s highly publicized interviews, particularly their 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey. “She went on Oprah like she didn’t know the royal family was… a little racist,” Rock quipped, rolling his eyes to the audience's amusement. “C’mon! They’re the OGs of colonialism! That’s like joining the mafia and being surprised someone got whacked.”
The crowd roared with laughter as Rock leaned in harder, mocking the idea that Meghan was caught off guard by the monarchy’s allegedly outdated views. “She’s acting like she married into The Brady Bunch,” he joked. “No, girl — you married into The Crown!”
What made the bit stand out wasn’t just the content — it was how effortlessly Rock turned royal drama into social commentary. “Everybody wants to be a victim these days,” he said. “Meghan Markle is like, ‘They were mean to me!’ Girl, you’re a duchess! You hit the light-skinned lottery!”
Though the jokes were cutting, Rock’s delivery — part truth-telling, part playful roasting — made it clear that he wasn’t attacking Meghan personally, but rather poking fun at the absurdity of celebrity culture and victimhood.
Still, the internet exploded.
Within hours of the special’s release, “Chris Rock Meghan Markle” began trending on social media. Some praised the comedian for saying what others wouldn’t. “Chris Rock just did what the British press tried and failed to do — roast Meghan Markle and still make it funny,” one user tweeted.
Others weren’t so amused. Critics accused Rock of “punching down” or being insensitive to issues of race and mental health. Royal watchers on both sides of the Atlantic jumped into the fray, reigniting debates about Meghan’s role in the royal family and the fallout since she and Harry stepped back from their official duties.
So far, there’s been no official comment from Meghan Markle or Prince Harry about Rock’s set — and it's unlikely one is coming. The royal couple, now based in California, have mostly avoided public spats with celebrities unless the situation escalates.