Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is facing renewed scrutiny over her brief stint as a working royal, with former palace aides claiming she harboured a desire to become the “most loved” member of the royal family — a goal some believe was driven by what they describe as a “messiah complex”.
These claims, made by royal staff and insiders, appear in a new book by Tom Quinn titled Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, which offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of the British monarchy.
According to excerpts published by the Daily Mail, several palace aides who worked with Meghan and Prince Harry alleged that the Duchess was “confident” from the outset and sought to take the lead during engagements, often opting to “run the meeting rather than learn about the royal family through the meeting”.
“She was a great believer in grabbing the bull by the horns — except the royal family is not really a bull,” one former staffer told the author, reflecting on what they viewed as Meghan’s misreading of the institution’s deeply entrenched traditions.
Another insider remarked that Meghan “thought she knew better than an institution that has been in business for 1,000 years and more”, suggesting a lack of understanding of the monarchy’s ceremonial and hierarchical structure.
Perhaps the most striking claim comes from a staffer who said Meghan exhibited a “messiah complex” — the belief that she could reform or redefine the monarchy’s image and operations, largely driven by a desire to be admired.
“She wanted to be the most loved member of the royal family,” said the source. “But she didn’t realise that in the royal family, you don’t do as you please — you do as you’re told.”
The book also claims that palace officials were cautious about how prominently Meghan was presented in public, ensuring she would not outshine senior royals such as Princess Anne, then-Prince Charles, or the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Quinn’s account notes contrasting impressions of Meghan among staff. While some described her as “over-friendly and hugging staff”, others said she would become “irritated when they didn’t instantly respond” to her requests, further fuelling tensions behind palace walls.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in early 2020 and have since relocated to the United States, where they have undertaken various media and philanthropic ventures under the banner of their Archewell Foundation.
Neither Meghan Markle nor Prince Harry has officially responded to the claims made in Quinn’s book. The palace has also declined to comment.
