Meghan Markle wanted to be ‘leading lady’ after Australian royal tour

The Duchess of Sussex “hated every second” of her 2018 royal tour of Australia, and was annoyed the palace didn’t tell her “well done”, a bombshell new book claims.

The Duchess of Sussex “hated every second” of her 2018 royal tour of Australia with Prince Harry, and was annoyed the palace didn’t tell her “well done”, a bombshell new book claims.

Meghan Markle is said to have wanted “leading lady” status after the successful tour down under, in which the couple visited Sydney and Melbourne, among other cities, as well as New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

During the visit, Meghan and Harry attended official receptions at Bondi Beach and Sydney Opera House.

In the explosive tome The Palace Papers – written by former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown – Meghan “apparently hated every second” of the Australian tour.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, pictured in Sydney during her 2018 visit to Australia. Picture: AAP

A new book claims Meghan Markle hated every second of the trip to Australia. Picture: AAP Image/AP Pool, Rick Rycroft

Citing a former palace employee as a source, Meghan was said to have found the engagements “old-fashioned, and would have rather put the spotlight on causes she wanted to highlight,” per The Mirror.

Once Meghan and Harry returned to the UK after the tour, Meghan – who was pregnant with son Archie Harrison at the time – was upset that no one had told her “well done”.

Meghan believed “that the monarchy likely needed her more than she needed them”, according to Brown’s book.

“She had starred in the equivalent of a blockbuster film and wanted her leading-lady status to be reflected in lights.”

About a year later, Meghan and Harry announced their departure from full-time royal duties, in the scandal known as “Megxit”.

KATE’S ROYAL FUTURE

Is Kate Middleton ready to take on legal Royal power? This is the question that has royal experts speculating over the possibility of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, taking on all Royal responsibilities if necessary.

As the Queen turns 96 there have been discussions about what happens as the monarch ages, The Sun reports.

While Prince Charles is next in line for the throne, at 73-years-old, it’s likely Prince William will take the throne not too long after him, with Kate by his side.

If something unfortunate was to take place and Prince George had to take the throne before he turned 18, Kate would be granted royal powers in line with The Regency Act 1937.

Kate Middleton is poised to take on more formal royal responsibilities. Picture: Getty Images

Since their marriage in 2011 there has been much speculation over the relationship the Duchess of Cambridge has with the Queen.

According to body language expert Darren Stanton, the Queen is fond of Kate.

“It’s clear the Queen has a great deal of affection for Kate Middleton,” Stanton told The Sun.

“Often the pair are seen matching and mirroring each other’s body position and gestures when pictured together.”

‘Extremely good influence.’ Queen Elizabeth, right, and Kate Middleton. Picture: Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire

A royal expert has said that Kate Middleton is an “extremely good influence” on Prince William, who was “lucky to marry her”.

Royal biographer Howard Hodgson told Express.co.uk that the Duchess of Cambridge has proven to be an “extremely good influence on the prince.”

Hodgson said: “Certainly William is very dutiful, and I think supported by Kate.

“They ensure that they keep a good appearance, they do put the public, the country and the monarchy first.”

He added: “I think he was very lucky to marry her. I think she’s an extremely good influence and is well-liked by the people, and so she should be.”

Catherine, far right, is said by experts to be a good influence on Prince William. Picture: Getty Images

Kate on her wedding day at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Picture: Getty Images

It came as Variety reported that a casting call for a “young Kate Middleton” had been announced by producers of hit TV series, The Crown, for its next season.

The casting notice reportedly says the show is seeking “an exceptional young actor to play Kate Middleton”.

“This is a good role in this award-winning drama and we are looking for a strong physical resemblance.”

Prince William, centre, his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton and brother Prince Harry in 2007. Picture: AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File

The show is particularly looking for someone who resembles Kate Middleton as she was in the early 2000s. Last month a casting call for a teenage Prince William and Prince Harry was posted, suggesting an upcoming season of The Crown will feature episodes with storylines revolving around the young royals.

Filming is expected to commence in England in August.

Royal fans may remember that the year 2001 is when Prince William, then 19-years-old, began his undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrew’s in Scotland, which is where he met Middleton.

William is said to have fallen for Middleton when he saw her walk the runway wearing a sheer black dress during a student fashion show.

Kate and Wills’ student years were not without drama, with Prince Harry being put into rehab, and Wills and Kate breaking up briefly before getting back together.