Quinn shared that her early days at Kensington Palace felt awkward for staff members. One insider recalled, “It was extraordinary because she was so confident that you could see she wanted 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.”

According to the Daily Mail, the same source remarked, “Meghan thought she knew better than an institution that has been in business for 1,000 years and more.”

“Duchess Difficult” Reputation

Quinn also wrote that some staff believed Markle displayed what they called a “messiah complex,” focusing on becoming the most famous and beloved member of the royal family. Her assertive and often uncompromising approach reportedly rubbed certain aides the wrong way, leading to the nickname “Duchess Difficult.”

Even so, not everyone viewed her negatively. Quinn explained that Markle had a loyal circle of admirers among the palace’s everyday staff, who respected her boldness and drive for change.

Resentment Over Unequal Treatment

Another source of tension for Meghan was what she perceived as an unfair dynamic within the palace. She reportedly disliked how Prince William received preferential treatment from staff compared to Harry, owing to William’s future role as king.

This struggle was highlighted in the couple’s six-part Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, where the Duchess spoke openly about feeling suffocated by the institution. She revealed how deeply the pressure affected her, admitting it pushed her to the point of contemplating self-harm.