Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Royal Family was marked by controversy. Soon after leaving, the Sussexes released explosive allegations against the monarchy, rapidly straining their ties with the institution.
During their media appearances, the Netflix series, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton were all subjects of criticism from Harry and Meghan. Queen Camilla was frequently mentioned as well.
In “Spare,” Harry described his stepmother as a “wicked woman,” reflecting the ongoing tension in their relationship. This is despite reports that Camilla initially supported Meghan when she first joined the Royal Family, as both had faced similar adversities.
Nevertheless, Harry claimed that the Royal Family, including Camilla, did not support the Sussexes during their difficult times. He accused Camilla of trying to “solve all our problems” by pushing them out of sight.
Keep reading to learn what happened…
Meghan Markle’s introduction to the Royal Family initially seemed full of potential. Her entry was seen not only as a valuable addition to the monarchy but also as an opportunity for the institution to benefit from her American heritage.
Queen Camilla & Meghan Markle – relationship
Indeed, the Duchess quickly became popular with the public, but her and Prince Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family deteriorated after they decided to step back from their royal duties.
Initially, Meghan appeared to integrate well within the Royal Family. Her relationships with Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Middleton, and Camilla seemed positive. Meghan and Camilla, in particular, developed a close bond, likely because both had the shared experience of marrying into the royal family. Reports indicate they maintained a mutual respect, especially in professional settings.
Camilla made efforts to ease Meghan’s transition into royal life. Before Meghan’s wedding, Camilla invited her to a private lunch where she shared her own experiences with media scrutiny following Princess Diana’s death and how she managed the pressure.
According to the Daily Mail, Camilla encouraged Meghan to focus on the positive aspects of her role and to endure through any negative media attention.
Similarly, Charles reportedly gave Harry advice along the same lines, emphasizing resilience in the face of scrutiny.
Queen Camilla offered Meghan Markle support when becoming a royal
However, Meghan expressed a different sentiment. In an ITV documentary, she revealed that few people had inquired about her well-being, stating, “Not many people have asked if I’m OK.”
A friend of Meghan shared with the Daily Mail that she appreciated Camilla’s support, especially around the time of her wedding. “Meg was really grateful to Camilla, who invited her for private lunches and was very supportive,” the friend noted. “She listened to her and understood the challenges of transitioning into the Royal Family from a ‘normal’ life.”
The friend also mentioned that Camilla, having faced her share of negative press and hostility due to her relationship with Charles during his marriage to Diana, was empathetic towards Meghan. “She was very sensitive to Meghan and offered advice to persevere through difficult times, assuring her that it would eventually pass—but ultimately, Meghan felt differently,” the friend explained.
A palace aide also commented to the Mail, highlighting Camilla’s understanding of transitioning from a ‘normal life’ to a royal one. “She tries very hard to make newcomers feel welcome and help them adjust, a practice she has maintained for many years,” the palace source explained. “Her efforts to mentor and guide are sincere and extend to many, not just to the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex.”
While Camilla reportedly made efforts to help Meghan adapt to royal life, Harry’s depiction in his book, “Spare,” suggests a contrasting narrative.
Meghan Markle was ‘abused’ by British tabloids when she and Harry began dating
When the couple began dating in 2016, the media intensely scrutinized Meghan’s life, leading to a barrage of racial abuse and a smear campaign prominently featured in the British tabloids.
In response, Prince Harry issued a statement in November 2016, not only confirming their relationship but also condemning the racist attacks Meghan faced. Kensington Palace’s communications secretary, Jason Knauf, issued a statement on Harry’s behalf, denouncing the “wave of abuse and harassment” Meghan endured, highlighting the racial undertones in media coverage and the sexism and racism from online trolls.
Harry also reflected on this in his book, “Spare,” detailing how he urgently communicated with Jason Knauf to draft a strong and honest statement to counteract the media’s narrative. Although he knew this wouldn’t end the scrutiny, he hoped it could at least change its course.
The statement reportedly upset King Charles and Prince William. Harry also revealed in “Spare” that during the height of the media storm in 2017, he pressed his father to challenge the tabloid’s treatment of Meghan.
At the same time, Meghan sought advice from Camilla, who seemingly tried to reassure her by comparing their situations, implying that such negative press was a rite of passage for new members of the Royal Family.
Despite their seemingly good relationship, Harry disclosed that Camilla had suggested relocating him to a governor-general position in Bermuda to alleviate the media pressure—a proposal that did not sit well with Harry, interpreting it as an attempt to sideline them.
The suggestion mirrored historical precedents, such as discussions in the 1970s about Prince Charles possibly taking up a governor-general role in Australia, which never materialized due to his marital status at the time, according to Newsweek. This historical context underscores the complex dynamics within the Royal Family regarding the handling of intense media scrutiny.
Camilla got her “perfect revenge” on Meghan Markle, royal expert claims
Queen Camilla has risen as a key figure in the Royal Family, particularly as she has taken on substantial responsibilities during King Charles’ diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This spring, she assumed many of the duties typically carried out by the reigning monarch.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan Markle have been forging their own paths in the business world. Their recent travels, reminiscent of a “royal tour,” have reportedly sparked discontent among their relatives in the UK.
At present, Camilla’s relationship with Harry and Meghan remains strained. A royal commentator recently suggested that the queen achieved “perfect revenge” on the Duchess through her successful endeavors.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle previously secured a significant contract with Spotify, which ultimately ended disastrously when Meghan’s podcast “Archetypes” was discontinued, leading to the cancellation of their entire deal with Spotify.
In contrast, in 2021, Camilla launched The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room, a book club initiative started during the pandemic. It offers reading recommendations and has enjoyed considerable success.
“She has finally got her own back on them”
Now known as The Queen’s Reading Room, the festival will host a one-day event at Hampton Court Palace on June 8. Described by The Sun as “bigger and better” than last year’s inaugural event, it will bring together authors, experts, actors, and literature enthusiasts for a celebration of the written word.
“Camilla’s podcast has been tremendously successful. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to attract big names from the arts,” Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, commented to The Sun.
Seward added, “Given Meghan’s apparent disinterest in Queen Camilla, I doubt she has anything positive to say about her or her podcast.”
Brand expert Denise Palmer Davies described Camilla’s success as “perfect revenge” on Meghan. “After everything Harry has said about Camilla, she has managed to retaliate. Meghan will likely be quite upset and perhaps a bit embarrassed by her own project’s early difficulties,” she told The Sun.
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