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Meghan Markle Portrayed as a Fighter in New Book on Royal Aides
The Duchess of Sussex has been described as a “fighter” in a new book that delves into the lives of royal aides. The book, titled “Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants”, by Tom Quinn, provides insight into the experiences of royal staff, including the challenges faced by Meghan Markle after joining the royal family.
Struggles Within Palace Walls
Meghan Markle, a former actress and philanthropist, stepped into a centuries-old institution when she married Prince Harry in 2018. According to the book, she initially felt looked down upon by many within the royal family. In a serialization of the book in The Times, Quinn writes that some people can cope with the royal environment—but others, like Meghan, try to fight back.
A former member of her staff is quoted as saying, “‘You’ve got to hand it to her,’ a former member of her staff said. ‘She really is a fighter.'” This portrays Meghan as someone who did not accept the status quo and chose to challenge the norms within the palace.
Meghan herself has spoken about her lack of familiarity with royal life, stating in an engagement interview that she had not looked up Prince Harry online and learned everything about him through their relationship. This suggests that she was not prepared for the hierarchy and strict protocols she encountered in the royal household.
Meghan’s Pushback Against Protocol
The book claims that Prince Harry did not spend much time explaining the complexity and demands of royal life to Meghan. She reportedly disliked the hierarchy, feeling constrained by protocol, and unused to having everything done for her by staff.
Meghan is described as a “moderniser by nature,” a person who wanted to effect change and challenge the status quo. However, these aspirations were not easily accepted by the palace’s traditional ways.
Conflict and Perceived Disrespect
Another former member of Kensington Palace communications team described the Duchess as “very straightforward and matter-of-fact.” The book suggests that Meghan often stood up to those who disapproved of her or her methods. According to one source, “They [the older, public school-educated advisers] really had it in for Meghan and, to be fair to her, she really stood up to them.” However, as the source further explains, “But, of course, if you make waves in the royal family, the senior royals will always back the courtiers, because in many cases the senior royals have been friends with the courtiers since childhood.”
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Meghan and Harry’s Departure
Meghan and Harry stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing struggles they had facing the royal family’s strict protocols. Since then, they have openly discussed their complicated relationships with King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, shedding more light on their experiences and the challenges within the royal household.
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Ill-Tempered Royals
The book also sheds light on the often tumultuous interactions within the royal family, painting a picture of royals who can be ill-tempered and prone to personality clashes. One former staffer recalls that Harry was easy to work for but could have explosive outbursts over minor issues. Prince Andrew is said to have moved staff members for seemingly trivial reasons, such as disliking a mole on a worker’s face or the preference of a nylon tie over another.
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The book further suggests that Prince Edward criticized his driver for frequently looking in the