Meghan Markle is once again at the center of royal controversy following fresh claims that she was left angered after being labeled “Duchess Difficult” by palace insiders. The nickname, reportedly coined by staff during her time as a senior royal, stemmed from alleged early-morning emails and high expectations that some described as “demanding.”
According to royal sources, Meghan’s work ethic—described as intense and fast-paced—allegedly led to tension among palace staff. Reports suggest she would send emails as early as 5 a.m., which reportedly overwhelmed team members and contributed to a difficult work environment. Some staff even claimed to have been reduced to tears, with a few ultimately resigning from their roles.
Despite these serious allegations, Meghan has strongly denied all claims of bullying, calling them part of a “calculated smear campaign” launched just ahead of her and Prince Harry’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021.
Veteran royal correspondent Valentine Low, who first broke the story in May 2021, recently revisited the issue, stating:
“There had been one or two stories which suggested there were difficult relations between Meghan and her staff. We’d seen them and the phrase ‘Duchess Difficult’ had been used. We knew Meghan was angry about those stories. We knew she challenged that narrative.”
Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to the United States, the Sussexes have experienced a significant turnover within their team. According to reports, 25 staff members have departed, including six in the last four months alone. Among those were two senior PR executives, raising questions about internal operations and workplace culture within their organization.
While Meghan continues to pursue projects in the U.S. and maintain her brand presence, these revelations add renewed focus on the Duchess’s strained relationship with royal staff and her ongoing public image battle.
As the Duchess works to establish herself independently through ventures like her As Ever lifestyle brand, the debate over her leadership style and past palace dynamics remains a topic of public and media interest.
