Meghan Markle could be ‘cold and withholding’ if things went wrong says former media colleague
Meghan Markle’s former colleague claims the Duchess of Sussex would be cold and withholding to a staffer at the drop of a dime if “something went poorly,” according to a new report.
United States
Don't miss out on the headlines from United States. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Meghan Markle’s former colleague claims the Duchess of Sussex would be cold and withholding to a staffer at the drop of a dime if “something went poorly,” according to a new report.
It was “really, really, really awful. Very painful,” the unnamed staffer, who worked with Ms Markle on media projects, claimed to Vanity Fair for an exposé published Friday.
“Because she’s constantly playing checkers — I’m not even going to say chess — but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”
The worker recognised that the “Suits” alum would be warm and effusive at the start of a person’s employment, but would allegedly turn if her or her husband Prince Harry’s demands were not met.
The staffer noted that one of those instances was when a teaser for Ms Markle’s now-defunct podcast, “Archetypes,” was released in March 2022 five months before the actual show would premiere and there weren’t any clips to promote. The Spotify deal was ultimately dissolved by June 2023.
The media projects staffers added that Ms Markle could be “undermining” to her colleagues.
“It’s talking behind your back. It’s gnawing at your sense of self. Really, like, ‘Mean Girls’ teenager,” the source claimed.
However, producer Jane Marie, who collaborated with the Sussexes on audio projects at Archewell, insisted that Ms Markle was “just a lovely, genuine person.”
The New York Post, reporting on the Vanity Fair article says Ms Markle’s reps did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
This is not the first time Ms Markle’s ex-staff has shared conflicting experiences with the press.
Ms Markle, 43, has been accused of bullying palace staffers and, in September, was slammed as a “dictator in high heels” who has reduced “grown men to tears” in another bombshell exposé.
“She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice,” a source told the Hollywood Reporter at the time, also adding of Harry, 40, “They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently.
“Harry is a very, very charming person — no airs at all — but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible.”
Later that month, the Daily Beast spoke to ex-staffers who had both negative and positive experiences working for the Sussexes.
“If you were working for her, you were often treated like a tradesman who could be treated like s – t,” a source claimed.
“I always thought she was a classic narcissist and getting her staff to tell a magazine how amazing she is only confirms that in my mind,” a second insider agreed. “She is lovely when it is all going her way but a demon when the worm turns.”
However, a third recognised that perhaps Ms Markle and Harry’s controversial exit from the royal family has played a role in how they are perceived among the public and those who work for them.
“There have been plenty of difficult royals over the years, and I do think that after the ill-feeling of Megxit, Meghan’s bad moments were amplified and distorted and blown out of proportion,” an aide claimed.
In October 2022, Ms Markle admitted she could be “particular” but bashed the “angry black woman myth.”
She said on “Archetypes” at the time, “You’re allowed to set a boundary. You’re allowed to be clear. It does not make you demanding. It does not make you difficult. It makes you clear.”
Harry, for his part, wrote in his memoir, “Spare,” that Ms Markle was an exemplary boss who “checked on staff who were ill, sent baskets of food or flowers or goodies to anyone struggling, depressed, off sick.”
SUSSEXES COP FLAK FOR WILDFIRE EFFORTS
The Sussexes have been labelled “disaster tourists” after visiting a Los Angeles wildfire relief effort.
But, despite the criticism, Ms Markle has continued to show compassion for victims and hear their stories.
Support groups and relief efforts have been cropping up in the wake of the deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 25 people.
One such cause is the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery Fund (AGFRF), started by 14-year-old Avery Colvert, which has attracted support from the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Ms Markle donated to the cause through their organisation the Archewell Foundation.
The AGFRF supports girls in the community to “regain their sense of self and confidence” following the fires, with a focus on gathering items including clothes, feminine hygiene products, as well as beauty and hair products.
Miss Colvert said in a post on Instagram that her school was one of many that was razed in the Eaton Fire, and many of her fellow students were feeling lost after losing so much.
The Duchess of Sussex was seen meeting with Miss Colvert in a video shared on the social media platform.
In a separate post, AGFRF gave a shout out to the Sussexes’ organisation: “A special thanks to The Archewell Foundation for your support!”
It comes after Prince Harry and Ms Markle received backlash after they were spotted in LA speaking with first responders, victims of the wildfires, and Pasadena mayor, Victor Gordo.
Hollywood star Justine Bateman slammed the couple as being “disaster tourists”.
“Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers,” Bateman said on X.
“What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved.”
The 58 year old continued to question the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s efforts, saying “Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster tourists.”
While there were X users who agreed with Bateman, others supported the couple, who have donated clothing, children’s items and other essentials to those affected, and also opened up their home to friends and family who were forced to evacuate.
It comes as Prince Harry and Ms Markle slammed Mark Zuckerberg for dumping Facebook fact checking, and after the Duchess’ highly-anticipated Netflix series With Love was delayed.
More Coverage
Originally published as Meghan Markle could be ‘cold and withholding’ if things went wrong says former media colleague
Air safety failures and last minute mistakes that led to deadly crash
A series of critical air safety failures and last-minute errors led to the catastrophic midair collision in the US that led to the deaths of 67 people, say experts and officials. Follow the updates.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds take dramatic step in legal war
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have revealed details of their next move in her legal row with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.