This article was originally published on JustStarz
Everyone is so interested in the royal family because they have been around for centuries. There are so many well-kept secrets within the walls of the palace that the public is dying to know. Luckily, some of the Kensington Palace staff have loose lips, ready to tell us all what we really want to know. With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle no longer part of the royal family, it is time to find out all the things that went down while they lived at the palace!
Becoming The Royal Power Couple
As soon as word got out about Prince Harry dating actress and American, Meghan Markle, everyone wanted to know more about their relationship. They quickly became the newest "it" couple, which brought two countries closer together.
Since Meghan found herself as the newest member of the royal family, she has been under a magnifying glass by the rest of the royals and the public. It is hard to tell what is speculation, and what is the truth, but place insiders have given the public some much-needed answers.
Moving Fast
When the press got wind that Prince Harry was dating Meghan, people couldn't believe the wild bachelor was going to settle down after his party years. He has always been known as the wild child of the family, and the Queen was happy to see him get serious about his royal duties.
As he started to get older, people wondered when he would settle down with someone, so everyone was delighted to hear Harry was finally in love. It didn't take long for these lovebirds to announce their engagement, and plan their fabulous wedding, but something was worrisome about this couple.
Getting The Queens Acceptance
When joining the royal family, it is important that you get the Queen's approval. Although Harry was smitten with Meghan, he needed her approval because that is how the new person is accepted into the family.
Obviously, you can't just join the royal family without the approval of the matriarch. She runs the whole show, so Meghan was not getting in unless the Queen liked her and thought she would be a good representation of their family values.
Meghan Always Had Her Sights Set On The Palace
Meghan must have been canvasing her future home when she and a friend took a trip to Europe when they were 15-years-old. Here they are posing outside of Buckingham Palace. Her future husband might have been hanging out inside.
Markle's friend, Ninak Priddy, said she wasn't shocked by the engagement, and it was like Meghan had been planning this her whole life. Markle's first official trip to the palace was in December 2017. She was just waiting to take her place in the spotlight.
What Were Meghan's Real Intentions?
As the couple made the headlines of every news outlet week after week, people began to question Meghan's intentions. People were wondering if she even loved harry, or if it was all a ruse. Their royal nuptials gave some people peace of mind, but others were still debating.
Millions of people watched as Meghan gracefully walked down the aisle and became the Duchess of Sussex. The rumors began to settle down after this because people didn't believe she would marry someone that she didn't love.
A Natural Royal
After the wedding, all eyes were on the couple in their first few weeks to see how Meghan was settling in as a real royal. Would she fit in, or would she stumble and make a fool of herself?
Meghan flourished, and people saw that she was naturally graceful. With the new title and a ring on her finger, Meghan was stepping into the position like she had been preparing her whole life.
One Happy Family
When you become a royal, there are specific duties you have to attend to. Meghan was going to the momentous events with a smile on her face and Harry by her side. She was showing the world that she was meant to fill this demanding position.
More critics began to back off because they saw how happy the newlywed couple were, but this wasn't the last time people would question things. Like many other celebrities, the rumors would eventually begin to circulate again.
Brothers With A Special Bond
Since they were little boys, Prince Harry and Prince William have always been the stars of the show. Their mother doted on the handsome boys until her untimely death. However, their grandmother wasn't going to leave them completely helpless.
The boys bonded together after Princess Diana tragically passed away. They always showed up for royal events together, but William was taking the lead and showing he would be the perfect fit to take over the throne.
Comparing The Duchesses
Not only are the royal brothers compared, but their wives were always being pitted against each other in the media. The media wouldn't let the comparisons die down between the way they handled themselves at events, to how they acted around the Queen.
Kate and Meghan have been treated entirely differently since they each joined the royal family. The main reason for this was because Kate came from a reputable British family while Meghan was an American actress who came from a broken home and was previously married.
An Underlying Rivalry
Although they smile for the cameras, it is clear that there is a secret rivalry between the two Duchesses. The media is always comparing them, so it must be hard not to let that come between them. Also, it is clear that Kate is well-liked by the Queen while Meghan has had a strained relationship.
Everyone wants to be a fly on the wall when these two get together because you can feel the strain in their relationship. People often talk about how Kate is less affectionate in public, and Meghan enjoys breaking the royal rules to hold Harry's hand.
Who Wore It Better
Besides their relationships with their husbands and the Queen, Kate and Meghan are often compared for their similar style. They have been seen wearing the same dresses, and it becomes a competition of who wore it better.
These style icons are also criticized for the way they dress and if they are showing too much skin. They like to wear similar designers, but Kate leans more towards affordable fashion while Meghan is all about the designer Hollywood lifestyle.
Moving Out
Many reasons could have caused the rift between Kate and Meghan, and that includes their living situation. After their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan continued to live together on the grounds of the Kensington Palace where Harry lived as a single man.
It was a place they both held close to their hearts, but when Meghan became pregnant, they needed a new location for their growing family. The cottage only had two rooms, so they need something with some more space. Harry had his eyes on Apartment 1, which was next to William and Kate in Apartment 1A.
Major Renovations And Change Of Plans
Kensington Palace is home to many members of the royal family. The grounds have many different houses and apartments, and it is where William and Kate raised their children. Meghan and Harry wanted to move into Apartment 1 where the queen's cousin and her husband were living. The couple would have to vacate the apartment if the newlyweds chose to live there.
When Harry and Meghan decided to live in Apartment 1, they had contractors brought in to renovate the place. However, their plans changed, and they decided to move to Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor grounds instead.
Tensions Begin To Rise
After the couple decided to move to Frogmore Cottage instead of Apartment 1, it caused rumors to stir. People speculated that there was a feud between the couple and Kate and William. It was suspicious that they changed their plans so suddenly.
Palace insiders think that there were rising tensions between the two couples; therefore, Harry and Meghan no longer wanted to be neighbors with them. Kate and Meghan were reportedly not getting along, so their husbands were also wrapped up in the feud as well.
Hollywood Lifestyle
Since Meghan was used to the Hollywood lifestyle, she was not about to give up the glitz and glamour for the royal family. She wears the best designer clothes, goes on lavish vacations, and gets invited to the hottest parties. People thought this lifestyle turned her into a diva with high expectations for her new royal life.
More stories from inside the palace started to come out, and the public began to speculate that the Duchess was asking for too much. One leaked report said that Meghan was a bridezilla while planning her wedding. Her demands began because of the smell in St. George's Chapel.
The Queen Is Not Impressed With Meghan's Changes
While planning her wedding, Meghan was reportedly like a dictator when it came to making decisions. She was particularly unimpressed with the smell inside the chapel. She said it smelled musty, but she must have forgotten that it is over 500 years old.
Meghan asked her staff and wedding planners to use atomizers to remove the smell and add a fresh scent. However, her request was denied by Buckingham Palace because the chapel is home to the Royal Vault, and it is a place of worship for the Queen. They didn't want her to make the chapel modern or change what makes it unique. Meghan was not happy with this response.
Making Kate Cry
Not only did she try to change the scent of the chapel, but Meghan also made Kate cry during a fitting for Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress. Meghan was not happy with the fit or style, and the two got in an argument.
The fitting took place only a few weeks after Kate gave birth to Prince Louis, so she found the whole situation overwhelming. She had to leave and collect herself before returning because it was so stressful.
Putting On A Smile For The Cameras
While people want to believe that everyone gets along in the royal family, that is simply not true. Right before Harry and Meghan got married, she and Kate had a huge argument. The two of them but heads when because Meghan was rude to Kate's staff.
Many sources have claimed that Meghan was extremely rude and short with the Palace staff, and that did not go over well with Kate. She said Meghan's actions were unacceptable because these are people they work closely with every day.
Meghan Gets Snippy With Staff
People could not believe the sweet Meghan Markle was rude to the palace staff, but this wasn't the first story that would come to light. Many insiders say she was very demanding and would message her staff in excess.
When the couple moved into Frogmore Cottage, Meghan demanded that no one park near the house to give them their privacy. Apparently, you can see inside the house from the street, so she didn't want anyone near them before the birth of their son.
The Duchess Is An Early-Bird With Demands
The Duchess of Sussex would bombard her staff so often that some of them ended up quitting, which is rare. She didn't abide by the rulebook when it came to interacting with staff, or any other aspect of being a royal for that matter.
The staff knew that she was used to the finer things from her Hollywood lifestyle, but they never imagined how rude she would be behind closed doors. She would send messages as early as five in the morning with unreasonable demands.
Dismissing The Queen's Chosen Doctors
As a member of the royal family, there are specific protocols that have to be followed. When one of them gives birth, they go to a particular hospital with the chosen doctors of the Queen. However, Meghan wanted to go against all those rules and have her private doctors instead.
Meghan's team of doctors was lead by a female physician, and as a feminist, it makes sense for her. She didn't want the Queen's group of "men in suits" because she felt more comfortable with her choice doctors.
Ignoring The Longstanding Birthing Traditions
As mentioned previously, Meghan banned parking at the Frogmore Cottage when the couple moved in. Many insiders believe this was because she was preparing to have a home birth. Meghan only wanted the people she trusted involved in the process.
Meghan didn't want to risk any leaks to the press from doctors she didn't know, and she didn't want anyone to see that she was preparing to give birth. Although this goes against the typical way things are done in the royal family. In the end, Meghan didn't have a home birth; she delivered her son at the Portland Hospital in London.
Putting On A Show For The Press
As the press started to hear about Meghan's demanding ways, they didn't want to believe it because she acted differently in public. To the world she was this poised woman who had risen to royalty with grace and dignity. How is it possible that she could be rude behind closed doors?
Meghan is a feminist advocate and speaks about many important causes, so it was difficult for people to imagine her being so demanding. In interviews, she seemed like a charming woman, but insiders were telling a different story.
Who Is Meghan Markle Behind The Scenes?
So while Meghan was as charming as it could get during press tours and when interacting with the public, it seems things behind closed doors might've been slightly different. People at the palace saw her as demanding. But what about the people in her personal life? According to her best friends, Meghan is a great gal they can always depend on for anything. But that slightly changed once she joined the royal family.
Being in the royal family meant that Meghan was busier than ever. It also meant that she had less liberty to communicate with everyday people.
Meghan's Personal Assistant
As a royal, Meghan had many different duties to attend to, so she needed a personal assistant. As an actress, this was not new to her because she was used to having a manager, PR person, and an assistant.
Meghan's personal assistant was there to help with her everyday needs and engagements. They helped her plan the royal wedding and attend all events with her so that Meghan would be prepared for anything.
People Quitting All The Time
Sometimes the stress of being an assistant is too much for some people. In December 2018, Meghan's former assistant, Melissa Toubati, quit after only six months. The French woman had t deal with all the post-wedding madness, which would be a lot for anyone.
Toubati previously worked for other celebrities like Maisie Williams. She had the credentials to be the perfect assistant for Meghan, but the Duchess was too demanding, and the pressure became too much.
Assistants Under Pressure
After Meghan's assistant quit, Amy Pickerill stepped up to the plate to take over the position. The pressure became too much for Meghan's first assistant, so everyone wondered how long Amy would last under Meghan's rule.
People were calling Meghan the "people's princess," so it was a shock that her assistants were quitting under pressure. This was only further proof that Meghan was much different behind closed doors.
Meghan Is Allegedly One Bossy Lady
Insiders say that Meghan had many demands for her assistants. She often left her staff in tears due to high-stress levels. It's possible that Meghan was under so much pressure herself, so she projected those feelings onto her assistants.
Everyone has stresses in their job, but the assistants found Meghan's ways overwhelming. She was like a tyrant when it came to demanding orders. She wanted everything to be perfect, and it was scary when things didn't go her way.
Making Tough Decisions
When it comes to being a member of the royal family, tough decisions have to be made. As stories about the Duchess flooded all the gossip columns and news websites, the officials in Kensington Palace had to figure out what to do.
They could ignore the stories and let people make their own opinions, or they could release an official statement to clear up the rumors. The palace officials decided to release an official message about Meghan so that people would know the truth.
Official Statement From The Royals
As more people came forward claiming Meghan was a diva and difficult to work with, the palace had to set the record straight. They didn't want people believing there were cracks within the royal family as it is a symbol of the country.
The palace released a statement saying that Kate did not shout at Meghan for the way she treated her staff, and there was no tension between the two couples. People were not convinced and thought the palace was trying to smooth over the gossip that was running wild.
Not Leaving The Spotlight
Whether you like her or not, Meghan Markle has become one of the most recognized women all over the world. As a Duchess, she represents part of the royal family, which is a tremendous honor and an important position.
Like anyone in the spotlight, there are always going to be stories about her in the press because anyone will make a comment for money or fame. Although Prince Harry and Meghan have left the royal family and their titles, they will still be followed wherever they go.
Who Is Leaking Stories?
While everyone heard about the leaked stories from within the palace, Meghan made it her mission to find the mole and shut down the rumor mill. She either wanted to cover her back, or the stories were actually lies.
We may never know the answer, but this was probably a huge part as to why the couple decided to step back from their life as royals. It is a difficult position to be in, and no one knows how she feels beside the people who are closest to her.
Trying To Heal Their Relationship
Time can heal many wounds, and that was the case for Meghan and Kate. The two women seemed to put their differences aside so that they could be the best representations for the royal family.
Although their friendliness might have only been for the cameras, it seems like the stories about them were dying down. Maybe they had a long talk, or their husbands told them to stop fighting. Whatever the case is, they seemed much more cordial in public.
An Alleged Affair Caused A Giant Riff
While Kate and Meghan put their differences aside, people were wondering what initially caused their feud. Why did these women dislike each other so much? It was quite the mystery that everyone wanted to uncover.
One potential reason for their disagreement was because of a rumor that William had an affair with one of Kate's best friends. This caused a rift between the two couples, but the media only focused on the duchesses instead of the dukes.
Feuding Brothers
While everyone was focusing on the duchesses, people overlooked the real argument between the brothers. The tension between Harry and William caused the wives to get defensive about their husbands.
This would mean that the arguments between the duchesses were just a result of the feud between their husbands. They probably felt uncomfortable in public because they had to stick by their men regardless of who was right or wrong.
The Official Instagram Account
There have been many Instagram gossip accounts trying to expose secrets about the royal family, but their official account was not one of them. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have an official account for them to share news with their followers
The account gives updates about their philanthropic work as well as important milestones in their lives. The Instagram account reached a record-breaking number of followers in such a short time.
Secretly Posting On Social Media
Shortly after their Instagram went live, people began to speculate who was running the account. The first obvious choice was Meghan. She has been known to be controlling and does things her way, so why wouldn't she take over this job.
People assumed Meghan was secretly running the account so that she could control the stories the media would see. This would help give her a better reputation. Regardless of who was posting, everyone loved to see the updates about the Duke and Duchess.
An Easter Surprise
When it got close to Meghan's due date, she stopped making public appearances. Her maternity leave began on March 20, 2019, and she kept a low profile after that. This left Harry alone at events, but he didn't seem to mind.
When Easter rolled around in 2019, people assumed Meghan had already given birth. However, Harry made a surprise appearance at Easter services with his family, so people knew he wouldn't leave a new mother home alone.
Anzac Day Confusion
After Easter, there were more speculations that Meghan had gone into labor because people were waiting with bated breath to see their baby. In late April, their predictions were proved wrong when Harry showed up at Anzac Day. He wasn't on the guest list, so people made their assumptions.
When he showed up to the event, everyone knew he wouldn't leave Meghan if she had just given birth. Another surprise was that he was accompanied by his sister-in-law Kate. The two were in good spirits and seemed to be getting along well.
Visit To Frogmore Cottage
People kept wondering if their couples had ended their feud or not. When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were seen at the Frogmore Cottage for Easter, people assumed the four of them were on pleasant terms with each other.
Meghan and Harry welcomed the family for a visit and showed them around their wonderful home. The gathering was just for close friends as Meghan was pregnant and due to give birth any day.
Making Amends
After the Easter events, the media started reporting that the brothers had ended their feud, and it was water under the bridge. Some experts believe that the argument ended long before Easter.
While there was a definite tension between the two couples, things have been resolved, and the air was cleared. The fight began when William was being a protective older brother and had doubts about Harry and Meghan's wedding.
Moving To Africa
In 2019, after their son Archie was born, the Duke and Dutchess made headlines when they announced their move to Africa. It came as a complete shock to many because their royal duties stemmed from England.
Everyone was giving their opinion about the couple's big move. Most people thought the idea was ridiculous, and it was their way of running away from William and Kate. The move supposedly also cost taxpayers millions, which upset most of the public.
The Official Exit
After many rumors about arguments, feuds, and a demanding Duchess, the couple officially announced in early 2020 that they were leaving their royal duties. They were stepping back as "senior members of the royal family," and everyone was in shock.
The palace was confused, and no one knew this was coming. After a few years of being treated differently and working so hard to fit in, Meghan had enough, and the couple moved to North America. Their titles were removed, but Meghan still uses hers despite disliking the pressure. It is still a mystery if this was her ultimate plan all along.