Meghan Markle's Royal Exit: Egos and Culture Clash Cited

According to veteran royal correspondent Simon Vigar, the exit of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, from royal duties in 2020 was avoidable and resulted from a "culture clash" and "egos on both sides." Vigar suggests Meghan anticipated more control over public events than was possible within the royal institution.

Vigar recounted that while Meghan's early engagements, like her first in Nottingham and the 2018 tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga, were met with massive crowds and success, palace press officers faced difficulties managing the narratives. He observed instances where press teams were distressed by events not going as planned, such as a shortened visit to Suva Market in Fiji.

He noted that Meghan, a former American actress, entered a system with distinct rules and intense scrutiny, differing significantly from the more controlled environment of Hollywood. Vigar stated that unlike other royals who understood the nuances of the British family, Meghan's expectations may have been misaligned due to this cultural difference.

Despite reports of staff departures and allegations of bullying against Meghan, which she has denied, Vigar disputes claims that the Kensington Palace press team briefed against her. He maintains that staff worked hard to support her, but ultimately, by the end of 2019, both Meghan and Prince Harry desired to step back from their royal roles.