Meghan Markle “didn’t understand what was going on” when she joined the Royal Family, according to royal author Catherine Mayer. The 44-year-old former actress officially became a member of the Firm after marrying Prince Harry in May 2018, but the couple stepped back from royal duties less than two years later.
Author Says Meghan Was Confused by Her Role
Speaking on HELLO's A Right Royal Podcast, Mayer, author of the new book Divide & Rule, explained that being married to the spare heir meant Meghan was always destined for a secondary role. “Being the wife of the spare would have always meant a secondary role in the eyes of the institution,” Mayer said.
She noted that Meghan faced confusion from the start: “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.”
Mayer Defends Meghan’s Lack of Understanding
Mayer expressed sympathy for Meghan, who previously admitted she knew little about the Royal Family. “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,” Mayer said. “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.”
Meghan and Harry’s Life After Royalty
After stepping down from royal duties, Meghan and Harry moved to California with their son, Prince Archie, now seven. Their daughter, Princess Lilibet, was born in June 2021. The family is set to travel to the UK next month for the one-year countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games, which Harry will attend.
