Meghan Markle and Ellen DeGeneres' UK Reunion Sparks X Backlash as Critics Say 'Accused Bullies Reunite'

Meghan Markle's first photographed outing since returning to the UK has drawn attention for more than her move back across the Atlantic.

The Duchess of Sussex was pictured meeting longtime friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi at a pub in Oxfordshire, prompting a wave of criticism on X (formerly Twitter) centred on past controversies and bullying allegations involving the two women.

The three were photographed together at The Three Horseshoes near Burford on Monday, 21 September, as Meghan continues to settle into life in Britain with Prince Harry and their children. The reunion has also revived discussion about the long-standing friendship between the Sussexes and the former talk-show host.

Meghan Markle Reunites With Ellen Degeneres in Oxfordshire

According to reports, Meghan and DeGeneres were seen chatting and laughing during the meeting. The three women were previously neighbours in Montecito, California, before DeGeneres and de Rossi relocated to the Cotswolds in November 2024.

The reunion quickly attracted negative reactions on X, with some users drawing comparisons between separate controversies involving allegations about Meghan's treatment of palace staff and allegations about the workplace culture on DeGeneres' former talk show.

One user wrote sarcastically, 'So nice to see two reportedly accused bullies reunite.'

Another speculated, based on the footage, that the pair appeared to be 'telling off a staff member', adding: 'Bullies always bully.' Other comments questioned the circumstances surrounding the photographs and criticised Meghan's decision to spend time with DeGeneres.

Those reactions remain social-media commentary rather than evidence that either woman engaged in bullying during the circumstances being discussed. The controversies involving Meghan and DeGeneres are separate and concern different circumstances.

Meghan's sighting with DeGeneres and de Rossi came as Prince Harry attended the WellChild Awards in London. Meghan has yet to make an official public engagement since the Sussexes returned to Britain in August.

Ellen Degeneres Faced Toxic Workplace Allegations

DeGeneres faced a major workplace controversy in 2020 after former and current employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show described an alleged toxic working environment. Reports included allegations of bullying, racism and sexual misconduct involving members of the show's production team.

Warner Bros launched an internal investigation, after which three senior producers left the programme. DeGeneres later addressed the controversy publicly, apologising to people affected and acknowledging that things had happened on the show that should not have happened.

The controversy continued to shape public discussion about DeGeneres even after The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended. Her renewed appearance alongside Meghan has therefore brought some of those earlier allegations back into social-media conversations.

Meghan Markle Has Denied Bullying Claims

Meghan has separately faced allegations concerning her treatment of palace staff during her time as a working royal.

In 2021, The Times reported allegations concerning Meghan's treatment of staff, including a complaint made by the Sussexes' then communications secretary, Jason Knauf, and Buckingham Palace subsequently announced that it would investigate the claims.

Meghan denied the allegations through her representatives, describing the reporting as an attack on her character.

The Palace later confirmed that the independent review into the handling of the allegations would remain private because of confidentiality obligations, while saying that lessons had been learned and changes had been made to its human resources policies.

The claims have continued to feature in commentary about Meghan, including reports concerning her working relationships after leaving royal duties. However, the private nature of the review means its detailed findings have not been made public.

Meghan and Ellen's Friendship Has Lasted Years

Meghan and DeGeneres have maintained a friendship dating back to before the Duchess married Harry. Meghan appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, where the pair discussed her acting career and personal life before DeGeneres directed her through a hidden-camera prank.

Their connection continued after the interview, with Meghan and Harry attending DeGeneres and de Rossi's vow renewal in 2023. Although a 2025 report suggested the friendship had cooled, the latest photographs show the pair spending time together again in Oxfordshire.

The latest reunion has therefore placed an established celebrity friendship back in the spotlight, while also reopening online debate about two separate sets of historical controversies and allegations.