The relationship between Meghan Markle and the British royal family was never simple. From her arrival in the Windsor circle, the American former actress sparked mixed opinions. But it was her attitude toward the Palace staff that really set off alarms.
According to the specialized journalist Katie Nicholl, Queen Elizabeth II was forced to intervene. It all happened days before Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding in May 2018. During a menu tasting at Windsor Castle, Meghan had a disagreement with the catering team.
She had requested vegan and macrobiotic options for the banquet. However, upon tasting one of the dishes, she claimed it "tasted like egg." Far from limiting herself to a formal complaint, Meghan harshly reprimanded the responsible waiter.
The tone used was considered unacceptable by several witnesses. The atmosphere became tense and reached the ears of Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch quickly reacted with a firm phrase that summed up her life philosophy.
The reason for Elizabeth II's anger
"Meghan, in this family we don't talk to people like that," Queen Elizabeth told her bluntly. A brief phrase, but loaded with institutional significance. The queen, known for her courtesy even with the humblest staff, set a very clear boundary.
That scene left a mark on their relationship. Although the wedding went ahead without public disruptions, something changed in the queen's perception. It was not a one-time or isolated conflict.
Over time, other similar episodes came to light. Historian Hugo Vickers revealed that during her stay at Frogmore Cottage, Meghan had more disagreements with the Palace staff. Even a gardener filed a formal complaint about the treatment received.
That complaint also reached Queen Elizabeth. Again, she intervened directly to stop what already seemed like a pattern of behavior. Her sense of duty included respect for every worker, regardless of their rank.
These tensions added to an already complex context. In 2018, Jason Knauf, then the communications secretary for the dukes, filed an internal complaint. He alleged that several employees suffered anxiety and stress due to Meghan's attitude.
Some staff members spoke of an unsustainable environment. They felt intimidated and overwhelmed by constant demands. For them, working with Meghan involved daily tension and pressure.
Elizabeth II didn't accept Meghan Markle
Although there were no public reprisals, the matter caused concern in Buckingham. Elizabeth II, accustomed to dealing with family crises, understood that it could escalate. That's why she distanced herself and set certain boundaries.
According to cited sources, the queen rejected the idea of living with the Sussexes for long stays. Although she always showed courtesy to Meghan publicly, internally her decision was firm. She didn't want to share a residence with someone who didn't respect the work team.
The decision to live separately was not just for protocol reasons. It was motivated by a personal and ethical criterion that Queen Elizabeth had defended since her youth. For her, respect was non-negotiable.
Despite later attempts at reconciliation, the bond between Meghan and the queen was affected. The smiling images never fully erased those past frictions. And some witnesses claim that the monarch never forgot that first warning.
Over time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the United Kingdom. They opted for a life away from royal norms and without constant contact with the family. But the traces of that disagreement remain.
Each new revelation about those years sheds more light on what happened behind closed doors. Although Meghan and Harry now celebrate seven years of marriage, the idyllic narrative has been nuanced. The shadow of the conflict with the staff and Elizabeth II's intervention still weigh.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't fit in
The queen, who passed away in 2022, kept her silence on this matter until the end. She never released statements about it, but her attitude spoke for itself. She preferred to keep her composure without compromising her values.
Today, looking back, those episodes help to understand many decisions of the royal family. They also explain the progressive distancing between the Sussexes and the House of Windsor. What seemed like a simple one-time disagreement was, in reality, a turning point.
Meghan has chosen not to respond to the new revelations. Her circle keeps discretion and avoids direct confrontations. However, the narrative about her behavior with the employees continues to reopen debates.
In a context where public image matters so much, these details are important. For Queen Elizabeth, every gesture had meaning. And treating those around her well was not an option, but a moral obligation.
This better explains why she didn't want to share a home with the Duchess of Sussex. It wasn't due to coldness or family distances, but because of firm principles. Because for the British monarch, dignity began in the small gestures of everyday life.