Meghan Markle ‘didn’t understand what was going on’ when she joined the royal family

into a British institution steeped in history and tradition would be overwhelming for any person, and the same couldn’t have been more true for Meghan Markle.

Speaking on HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast this week, Catherine Mayer said the Duchess of Sussex “didn’t understand what was going on” when she was introduced to the royal fold, but understandably so.

“Being the wife of the spare would have always meant a secondary role in the eyes of the institution. And one of the early sources of confusion for Meghan coming in was that she had all this amazing positive press, this enthusiasm, and then being in an institution that kept trying to say, ‘No, stay in your lane,’ which they were doing because they see their job as keeping the institution on an even keel, not on serving the individuals. 

Listen to the full episode below with our hosts, Royal experts Emily Nash and Andrea Caamano, to find out the real reason why Kate typically chooses a cautious quietness and “symbolic” gestures over a louder presence.

She continued: “But Meghan had great people working for her. I don’t think she necessarily understood how great those people working for her were, but I understand why she didn’t understand what was going on. 

“And I think that the expectation that she should have comes from people who don’t know what it’s like behind palace doors. I know it would have completely wrong footed me for sure.”

Back to the UK

The comments from Catherine, who is the author of the new book Divide & Rule, came just as it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be bringing their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to the UK for the first time since 2022. 

Prince Harry, 41, is expected to attend the “One Year To Go” events for the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham in 2027. 

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Harry hopes to “introduce the children to his wider family” and show them “where he grew up”, a source told News.com.au on Wednesday. 

The insider added that Harry had felt a “great sadness” over not being able to bring his children to the UK previously, over security concerns.   

Meanwhile, a source told The Sun that “conditions” have now been met for their safe return – though further details have not been confirmed.