New revelations from former royal staff reveal a troubling portrait of Meghan Markle, stating that she was seen as a “complete narcissist” by those who worked closely with her.
These claims come from Valentine Low, a royal correspondent for the London Times, whose book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown exposes the turbulent relationships within the royal household.
According to accounts detailed in the book, former aides have alleged that both Meghan and Prince Harry fostered an environment characterized by intimidation and fear.
Employees described their experiences under the couple as so distressing that they formed a group known as the “Sussex Survivors Club,” highlighting the emotional toll of their time working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Among those offering insights into the couple’s behavior were key figures like Samantha Cohen, Meghan’s private secretary, and Sara Latham, the communications chief.
Cohen, who dedicated nearly two decades to Buckingham Palace, indicated that the turnover rate for staff in their household was alarmingly high.
She recounted a particular incident when a new hire left during a trip to Africa, emphasizing the challenges in maintaining a stable team for Meghan and Harry.
While Meghan has publicly refuted the bullying allegations, labeling them as a calculated smear campaign filled with misleading information, the internal accounts suggest a stark contrast between her narrative and the lived experiences of the staff.
Those who endured the couple’s demands felt manipulated, often voicing that they felt “played” by Meghan’s orchestrations.
According to staff members, Meghan strategically crafted an image of herself as a victim perpetually rejected by palace aides.
This narrative, they argue, served to justify her decision to step back from royal duties in 2020.
Observers noted a disconnect, with insiders claiming, “Everyone thought Meghan longed for happiness, when in reality, she was fixated on the idea of being wronged.”
The term “institution” used in the book alludes to the monarchy at large—an intricate web of aides, press secretaries, and household staff who oversee the monarchy’s day-to-day functions.
Inside this structure, numerous staff members reported feeling demoralized, even growing suspicious of Meghan’s pleas for assistance, suspecting they were part of a calculated strategy to exit the royal family.
Robert Lacey, a noted historian and biographer, corroborated these claims by quoting a Kensington Palace courtier who remarked on Meghan’s victimhood portrayal, suggesting that she contradicted the very essence of a victim by engaging in bullying behavior herself.
The courtier’s frank assessment described Meghan in rather stark terms, characterizing her as “basically unhinged.”
In a gripping interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Meghan opened up about her mental health struggles during her time in the royal family, confessing to suicidal thoughts exacerbated by relentless public scrutiny following the birth of her son, Archie.
She described nights filled with fear and hopelessness, emphasizing a deep sense of despair.
Complicating her narrative further, Meghan claimed that palace officials denied her access to vital mental health resources, stating that seeking help could bring negative publicity to the institution.
This alleged interaction serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by anyone struggling with mental health within such a high-pressure environment.
Despite these claims, the support narrative that Meghan cultivated appears to be contradicted by the accounts of former aides.
Staff members grew increasingly disillusioned, suggesting that Meghan’s authentic emotional expressions may have been performative rather than genuine, indicating a deep-rooted strategy woven into her public persona.
In the wake of their departure from royal duties, Meghan and Harry relocated to California, leaving behind the complexities of royal life.
As they acclimated to their new reality, the couple garnered attention for their appearances and statements, often shedding light on their experiences in a way that certainly stirred public interest and debate.
The revelations contained in Low’s book raise significant questions about the dynamics of power, publicity, and personal narratives played out in the public eye.
With former aides describing feelings of victimhood intertwined with bullying, this insider perspective paints a complicated picture of life behind the palace gates.