‘He Got Markled!’: Stephen Colbert’s Show Canceled and Royal Watchers Say Meghan’s Curse Strikes Again

Is Meghan Markle’s so-called “curse” to blame for Stephen Colbert’s late-night downfall? That’s what some royal watchers are claiming after CBS announced The Late Show will be ending in May 2026.

On social media, critics say Colbert has been “markled”—a term that’s popped up online to describe the supposed misfortune of those who align themselves too closely with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Colbert, a longtime supporter of the couple, is now being accused of paying the price for picking the wrong royal team.

Royal Fans Celebrate Colbert’s Exit

“This is karma,” one user posted on X, sharing old headlines about Colbert’s jokes targeting Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William. “Colbert has been markled,” another added, posting a story about aristocrat Rose Hanbury allegedly sending the comedian a legal notice after he mocked her rumored connection to William.

One royal fan didn’t hold back: “When he interviewed Prince Harry, he acted like a complete slime ball. It’s nice to see karma come calling.”

Shots, Jokes, and Frozen Todgers

Colbert’s friendship with Harry goes back to a headline-making appearance in January 2023 to promote Spare. The two drank tequila shots, joked about Harry’s frostbitten “todger,” and swapped redhead jokes about the Sussex kids.

But critics noted that Colbert avoided tough questions and instead offered Harry a platform for light banter—further deepening the divide between Colbert and fans of the traditional royal family.

Mocking Kate During a Health Crisis

Things reached a boiling point in March 2024, when Colbert made jokes about Kate Middleton’s extended absence from public life following abdominal surgery. He leaned into affair rumors between Prince William and Rose Hanbury, quipping: “Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate.”

Just two weeks later, Middleton revealed she was battling cancer. While Colbert acknowledged her diagnosis and wished her well, he didn’t apologize for the earlier remarks—fueling backlash from royal supporters.

Show’s End Marks Late-Night Shift

Colbert announced on July 17 that The Late Show would end its run in May 2026. The network confirmed there will be no replacement—Colbert’s departure marks the end of late-night talk shows on CBS altogether.

“This is all just going away,” Colbert told viewers. CBS executives cited financial challenges in the current media landscape as the reason for pulling the plug.

Still, for royal fans who never forgave Colbert’s loyalty to Harry and Meghan, the news was a cause for celebration.

As one commenter gleefully put it: “I’ve never been happier to witness someone’s demise.”