Meghan Markle says it's been a 'complicated time' in the royal family since Queen Elizabeth's death

• Meghan Markle said it's been a "complicated time" for her and Harry since the Queen's death.
• She added that the legacy the Queen left on "so many fronts" was "so beautiful."

Meghan Markle said it has been a "complicated time" in the royal family since the death of Queen Elizabeth last month.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after more than 70 years on the UK throne. She was 96 years old.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in London at the time of the Queen's death, and they stayed in the UK through her funeral, which was held on September 19.

The Queen's death unexpectedly reunited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Prince Harry's family, with whom they have had a strained relationship with since their step back as senior members of the royal family in 2020.

Meghan spoke to Variety about what it has been like to mourn the Queen, saying, "It's been a complicated time."

"But my husband, ever the optimist, said, 'Now she's reunited with her husband,'" she went on to tell the outlet.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years. Although he died in 2021, he was buried with the Queen at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle following her death.

Meghan also spoke to Variety of the legacy the Queen left on "so many fronts" that was "so beautiful."

"Certainly, in terms of female leadership, she is the most shining example of what that looks like," Meghan said.

Meghan said she was "really grateful" to be with Prince Harry to support him following the Queen's death, and she said that "there's been such an outpouring of love and support."

Prince Harry attended several events honoring his grandmother in the weeks after her death, some with Meghan by his side. Because Harry is no longer a working royal, he was not allowed to wear his military regalia or salute his grandmother at many of the services he attended, though he was able to wear his uniform to stand guard over her coffin with Prince William and his cousins.

In her interview with Variety, Meghan reflected on her time knowing the Queen, saying she feels "deep gratitude to have been able to spend time with her and get to know her."

"I've reflected on that first official engagement that I had with her, how special that felt," she told Variety. "I feel fortunate. And I continue to be proud to have had a nice warmth with the matriarch of the family."

The Queen and Meghan went to open a new bridge together in 2018 during the duchess' engagement to Prince Harry.

Meghan and Harry, whose daughter Lilibet is named after the Queen, most recently saw the monarch during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. Prince Harry did not arrive at Balmoral Castle in time to say a final goodbye to his grandmother, according to reports.

Meghan told Variety that big moments in life, like this one, give her a new perspective.

"It makes you wonder what you want to focus your energy on," Meghan said. "Right now, we feel energized and excited about all of the things we've been building toward."