It was supposed to be a royal fairytale, but behind the scenes of Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, the mood was reportedly less enchanted and more…tense.
According to royal biographer Katie Nicholl, the Duchess of Sussex had a “tense exchange” with a member of the catering team during a menu tasting at Windsor Castle, allegedly after detecting egg in a dish she believed to be vegan. In her book The New Royals, Nicholl claims Meghan was upset and expressed her frustration in a way that didn’t sit well with Queen Elizabeth II — who happened to walk in at just the right (or wrong) moment.
“Meghan, in this family we don’t speak to people like that,” the Queen reportedly said, reminding the former actress that royal protocol applies even when the menu’s off.
This wasn’t the only incident involving staff that drew the Queen’s attention. Royal historian Hugo Vickers has claimed that while Harry and Meghan were living at Frogmore Cottage, a senior staff member raised concerns after Meghan allegedly dismissed an under-gardener. The Queen, once again, was informed.
In the months and years following her royal exit, Meghan’s relationship with palace staff continued to make headlines. Former employees dubbed themselves part of the so-called “Sussex Survivors Club,” with claims of emotional strain and even bullying.
An internal review was quietly launched in 2018 after Jason Knauf, then Meghan and Harry’s communications secretary, accused her of bullying two personal assistants. In an email to Prince William’s private secretary, Knauf wrote that Meghan appeared “intent on always having someone in her sights.” He later went on to work with William and Kate and was awarded the Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 2022.
Meghan has strongly denied all bullying allegations, calling them a “calculated smear campaign.” Her spokesperson at the time said she was “saddened” by the attacks on her character and remains committed to promoting compassion.
Adding a different perspective, Steve Davies, a former bodyguard who worked with Meghan before and after she joined the royal fold, said the Duchess was nothing but respectful and considerate. Speaking to In Touch Weekly, Davies said, “I would work with her again, not a problem at all. She was a good person to work for, and she still is.” He blamed palace bureaucracy and media manipulation for painting Meghan in a negative light.
Interestingly, the late Queen’s displeasure wasn’t only reserved for Meghan. Royal expert Phil Dampier noted that Kate Middleton, now Princess of Wales, was once criticized by the Queen for not taking on royal duties quickly enough. “The Queen once remarked Kate doesn’t do very much,” Dampier told Express, citing Prince William’s protectiveness following Princess Diana’s tragic experience with the press.
From vegan menu mishaps to alleged staff drama and royal reprimands, Meghan’s introduction to royal life was anything but smooth — and even now, the stories keep surfacing. Whether they reflect palace truth or palace politics, one thing’s clear: fairy tales don’t always come without a few stormy chapters.