When Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family, she was stepping into a world entirely different from her Hollywood background. Unlike many before her, she didn’t want to take time to acclimate to royal life.
Instead, she aimed to hit the ground running, something that raised eyebrows among Palace staff.
In a system steeped in tradition and long-established rules, Meghan’s bold approach to integrating into the Royal Family wasn’t exactly well received.
The Challenges of Joining the Royal Family
For most new royal family members, adjusting to the roles and responsibilities that come with the title takes time.
There’s a steep learning curve, from mastering etiquette to handling the intricate relationships with staff and navigating public events.
But Meghan, eager to make her mark, had different ideas.
She wasn’t interested in waiting to learn how to fit into royal life—she wanted to jump straight in and take charge.
Former staff members told royal author Tom Quinn that Meghan’s confidence during her early days at Kensington Palace was striking.
One staffer recalled how Meghan seemed less interested in learning about royal traditions and more focused on leading meetings.
This behavior, some said, was reminiscent of someone eager to “grab the bull by the horns,” but unfortunately, royal life doesn’t quite work that way.
Meghan’s Overconfidence and the Palace’s Concerns
The notion of Meghan being overly confident wasn’t a new one.
Princess Diana’s acquaintance, Tina Brown, highlighted this in her 2022 book, The Palace Papers, noting how Meghan and Harry both seemed intoxicated by the idea of transforming the royal image.
Meghan, at 36, was determined to make the most of her opportunity, but in doing so, she often clashed with the Palace’s established norms.
While Meghan’s ambitions were clear, some members of the Palace staff felt her goals weren’t in line with the role she was expected to play.
One former aide even suggested that Meghan’s aspirations to emulate Princess Diana’s legacy—on her own terms—weren’t quite as compatible with royal traditions as she hoped.
They pointed out that joining the Royal Family isn’t about personal transformation; it’s about respecting a long-standing institution.
Kate Middleton’s Different Approach
In contrast to Meghan’s bold approach, Kate Middleton’s path into royal life was much more gradual.
Kate took time to understand the environment, observing how others behaved and absorbing the royal atmosphere.
Staff who worked with her noted that she was cautious and methodical, willing to learn the ropes before making any significant changes.
Kate’s approach was also guided by her relationship with Prince William and support from seasoned figures like Camilla, who helped Kate adjust to her new role.
The difference between Meghan and Kate’s approaches to royal life couldn’t have been starker: while Kate took a step-by-step approach, Meghan wanted to change things on her own terms from the start.
Meghan’s Struggles with Royal Staff
One of the key challenges Meghan faced during her time as a working royal was her relationship with staff.
Unlike other royals, Meghan wasn’t accustomed to giving orders and managing a large team.
According to staff members, she fluctuated between being overly familiar and friendly with staff to expressing irritation when things didn’t go her way.
This shift in behavior reportedly made it difficult for Meghan to build meaningful relationships with the team around her.
She seemed to prefer to do things her own way, which at times alienated the very people who were supposed to support her.
Allegations and Controversies Around Meghan’s Behavior
As Meghan’s time in the Royal Family progressed, rumors about her behavior began to circulate.
Some staff members described her as a “bully” or “difficult to work with,” leading to a formal investigation by Buckingham Palace.
The findings of the inquiry were never disclosed, but Meghan’s reputation continued to suffer, both within the Royal Family and in the media.
Meghan’s critics accused her of being relentless in her demands and difficult to work with, while her supporters admired her for wanting to break free from the traditional royal mold.
Even after Meghan and Harry left the Royal Family, these issues followed them to their new life in California, with reports claiming that Meghan’s behavior toward employees remained problematic.
The Fallout and Meghan’s Future
Despite the controversies, Meghan’s supporters continued to praise her for her advocacy work and desire to create change within the Royal Family.
However, her aggressive approach to royal life left many wondering if she would ever find a way to reconcile her ambitions with the reality of royal expectations.
If Meghan had the chance to rejoin the Royal Family, perhaps she might take a page from Kate’s book and approach the situation with more caution.
But given the way things unfolded, it’s unlikely that Meghan will ever return to full-time royal duties.
Whether she regrets her approach or is content with the way her story has unfolded remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Meghan’s royal journey was never going to be a conventional one.