Since stepping back from royal responsibilities in 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have continued to face intense public attention. Their departure from the British royal family was presented as a bid for autonomy and self-determination, yet the years since have been overshadowed by controversy, internal tensions, and recurring claims about how staff members were treated. A new report has once again brought these issues to the forefront, offering a critical portrayal of Meghan’s approach to leadership and workplace dynamics.
According to individuals quoted in a recent investigation, Meghan has reportedly been given an unflattering nickname by both former and current employees: “Duchess Difficult.” While the label has circulated before, the latest allegations are among the most striking. Sources claim that her behind-the-scenes conduct has been so demanding that experienced professionals—some with decades in their fields—were left emotionally distressed. One insider likened her to a “dictator in high heels,” a phrase that quickly gained traction across media and social networks.
The report, released by The Hollywood Reporter, is based on interviews with people said to have direct knowledge of the couple’s operations. These accounts depict Meghan’s management style as excessively exacting, characterized by abrupt shifts in expectations, constant revisions, and little tolerance for mistakes. Staff members allegedly felt under constant pressure, uncertain of when criticism might be directed their way.
Prince Harry also faces scrutiny in these narratives. Although often described as friendly and approachable, sources suggest he plays a passive role during conflicts. Rather than confronting problems, he is portrayed as allowing situations to escalate, leaving employees without clear support or protection. According to insiders, this dynamic creates a workplace where responsibility is blurred and stress is passed down the hierarchy.
High staff turnover has become a defining feature of Harry and Meghan’s professional life since leaving the monarchy. Over the years, they have reportedly gone through numerous advisors, aides, communications specialists, and senior staff. Meghan’s top aide and private secretary departed in 2021, and more recently, their chief of staff is said to have resigned after only a few months. These frequent exits have fueled speculation that the challenges run deeper than routine professional disagreements.
Such allegations are not limited to their post-royal years. Complaints about Meghan’s conduct reportedly date back to her early period within the royal household. In 2018, shortly after her marriage, palace staff raised concerns about bullying, prompting Buckingham Palace to open an internal review into workplace behavior. Although the results were never disclosed and no formal action was taken, the inquiry itself was highly unusual.
Adding to the controversy was a leaked email from a former communications aide, allegedly stating that “the Duchess appears determined to always have someone in her sights.” This message reinforced claims that certain individuals were repeatedly singled out, supporting the idea that intimidation played a role in her leadership style.
Meghan has firmly rejected these accusations, calling them part of a deliberate effort to damage her reputation. Her supporters argue that she has been subjected to disproportionate criticism and punished for assertiveness, noting that women—particularly those who challenge entrenched power structures—are often branded as “difficult” for behavior that would be accepted in others.
Critics, however, argue that the consistency and volume of complaints are hard to ignore. They point to the repeated staff departures, similar accounts from unrelated sources, and the fact that these issues have surfaced across different countries and professional environments. From this perspective, the pattern suggests a deeper leadership problem rather than isolated conflicts.
Before joining the royal family, Meghan worked as an actress, most notably on Suits. Recollections from that period are mixed: some former colleagues praise her determination and work ethic, while others describe her as highly driven and inflexible. Detractors suggest that this intensity, while effective in entertainment, may have proven problematic in roles requiring diplomacy, patience, and large-team management.
The timing of the most recent revelations has further amplified public reaction. They emerged shortly after Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, an occasion meant to signal stability and progress. Instead, attention quickly shifted back to claims of dysfunction behind the scenes.
For a couple that has publicly championed mental health and compassionate leadership, these reports are particularly damaging. If accurate, they challenge the credibility of that message and raise difficult questions about how authority is exercised within their organizations.
Whether Meghan Markle truly merits the “Duchess Difficult” label remains open to debate. What is undeniable is that the allegations have persisted over many years and across multiple settings. As long as former employees continue to speak out and staff turnover remains high, the controversy surrounding Harry and Meghan is unlikely to subside. What was once framed as a modern fairy tale and a quest for independence increasingly appears to many as a cautionary story about leadership, image, and unresolved internal strife.