A BOMBSHELL book has shone a light into how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal life unravelled – with SEVEN standout claims.
Courtiers: the Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Times reporter Valentine Low details a series of jaw-dropping allegations levelled at The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their time as working Royals.
Courtiers: the Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Times reporter Valentine Low makes seven ground-breaking allegations against the Sussexes
Amongst the claims are allegations of bullying, “harsh” treatment of aides and disputes between other Royals.
Other anecdotes claim that Meghan, 41, even moaned “I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this”.
Meanwhile the alleged behaviour of the Sussexes in the run up to their May 2018 wedding is also prized open for all to see.
The Sussexes began Royal duties following their wedding – but they left The Firm in an extraordinary blow out in January 2020 for a new life in California.
NIGHTMARE
Meghan’s aide 'wanted to send back free gifts sent to the palace'
Since then, they have pursued commercial interests – primarily in media, including launching their own production company Archewell.
Their life as Royals fell apart at the seems – but seven key moments were pivotal in the downfall of The King’s youngest son and his wife.
‘MOANING MEGHAN’
In an explosive allegation in the book, Meghan is said to have whined that she should get paid for carrying out Royal engagements.
The claims centre around the pair’s October 2018 Royal tour to Australia – their first such engagement.
Mr Low writes: “Although she enjoyed the attention, Meghan failed to understand the point of all those walkabouts, shaking hands with countless strangers.
“According to several members of staff, she was heard to say on at least one occasion, ‘I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this’.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand on their first official overseas trip in 2018
‘BREAK UP’
Amid mounting scrutiny over the couple’s relationship status, a source claims Meghan dealt Harry an ultimatum.
Meghan allegedly said: “‘If you don’t put out a statement confirming I’m your girlfriend, I’m going to break up with you’.”
Another source noted: “‘He was freaking out, saying, ‘She’s going to dump me’.”
Meghan wanted public validation that this was a serious relationship, Low writes, as she was “convinced” the palace was unwilling to protect her from media intrusion.
Meghan allegedly said: ‘If you don’t put out a statement confirming I’m your girlfriend, I’m going to break up with you’
‘BULLYING AIDES’
In one standout incident Meghan attends a meeting – it was here where she spoke particularly harshly to a young female member of the team in front of her colleagues, The Times reports.
In an alleged exchange, the Duchess is said to have torn into the staffer over plans – it is unclear what these were for – but it was in the weeks before her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
Shredding the idea, Meghan is claimed to have barked: “Don’t worry. If there was literally anyone else I could ask to do this, I would be asking them instead of you.”
The aide was left devastated but Prince William swooped in, telling her: “I hope you’re OK You’re doing a really good job.”
The aide burst into tears at the kindness of the future King – and she poured her heart out.
Meghan has always denied bullying claims, saying she is “saddened” by them.
BROTHER RIFT
Prince Harry refused to meet brother Prince William over “concerns” he would leak chats to the press.
Prince William had allegedly become concerned about the Sussexes’ unhappiness during a bombshell interview with ITV when they were in South Africa.
He allegedly organised a meeting with tormented Harry, recognising the family “were in crisis” the book claims, with Harry first agreening.
But on hearing the William’s private secretary would be made aware of the meeting – to allow for the Prince to take time out the diary – Harry turned down the offer.
Prince Harry refused to meet brother William over ‘concerns’ he would leak chats to the press
‘PUT IN PLACE’
Shortly before her wedding, Meghan allegedly demanded to have Queen Mary’s bandeau tiara – leant to her by The Queen – fitted while her hairdresser was in town.
But citing strict protocol around the Crown Jewels – The Queen’s dresser, Andrea Kelly – said this could not be done on a whim and an appointment had to be made.
Harry exploded – allegedly launching a vitriolic takedown of his grandmother’s loyal fashionista deploying “fairly fruity language”.
A disgusted Ms Kelly allegedly reported his antics to The Queen who “firmly” put Harry “in his place”.
“He had been downright rude”, a gobsmacked aide told author Low.
Shortly before her wedding, Meghan allegedly demanded to have Queen Mary’s bandeau tiara – leant to her by The Queen – fitted while her hairdresser was in town
‘IRRELEVANT’
Meanwhile Prince Harry is alleged to have feared becoming irrelevant when nephew Prince George – the future King – was born.
Valentine Low says the Duke of Sussex possessed a “long-held fear” that he would one day “become irrelevant” as his nephew came ahead of him in the line of succession.
“He had this thing that he had a shelf life. He was fixated [on] this”, Mr Low writes.
Prince Harry is alleged to have feared becoming irrelevant when nephew Prince George – the future King – was born
NO GIFT
In a seventh ground-swelling claim, gifts sent to the Palace addressed to Meghan were sent back by the Duchess’ Personal Assistant Melissa Touabti.
“Clothes, jewellery, candles… It was absolutely nonstop,” a source tells Low.
It was on the basis that members of the Royal Family should not receive freebies – but it infuriated Meghan.
Ms Touabti left the role after six-months to work as a nanny for billionaire Richard Livingstone.
Meghan was receiving ‘non-stop’ freebies from companies, a source claimed
