Cheryl is said to have found the Queen's platty jubes "bittersweet" as she reflected on the last 10 years of her career.
The mum-of-one, 38, was top billing when she performed at the monarch's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The Girls Aloud star brought the house down with Gary Barlow at Buckingham Palace, but this year she was nowhere to be seen.
The star shot to fame on Pop Idols: The Rivals and went onto have a successful solo career, but after giving birth to son Bear in 2017, Cheryl slipped under the radar.
She is now said to regret how her career has turned out, particularly as she used to be the nation's sweetheart.
A source said: "The decade has been tough with highs and lows and while Bear is by far the best things that's ever happened to her, she feels like there have been missed opportunities.
"Cheryl's biggest regret is her career," they told Heat magazine.
"She's still baffled by how she went from being on such a high to where she is now."
The source added the Geordie had hoped to move into other avenues, including artist management and TV work, but admitted that "really hadn't happened."
Cheryl turns 40 next year and is said to be trying to give her career one last reboot.
The star is also said to be looking for someone to settle down with.
The Mirror has contacted Cheryl's reps for comment.
The singer dated Bear's dad Liam Payne for two and a half years.
However the One Direction star is said to have 'upset' his baby mama after revealing intimate details about their relationship.
Speaking to YouTuber Logan Paul, Liam claimed Bear, five, 'ruined' his relationship with the stunning star.
The singer was just 23 when he became a dad and told Logan: "To be honest with you, it ruined a relationship at that point – but for all the right reasons.
"We broke up for a reason and now she gives me full autonomy over my life and I know he [Bear] is taken care of".
Liam also paid tribute to Cheryl's "amazing" mothering skills.
Speaking about his son’s future, the star revealed that he doesn’t wish fame for him.
“The scariest thing for me is him waking up one day and going ‘I want to be famous’", he said.
“It scares the c**p out of me because I know what it did to me.”
However, Bear's mum Cheryl is still famous and doesn't look like she's giving up on the limelight just yet.
