New book claims Meghan Markle complained about not getting paid for Australia trip

An explosive new book claims Meghan Markle complained about several details during her and Prince Harry’s trip Down Under in 2018.

Meghan Markle moaned “I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this” while touring Australia in 2018, an explosive book claims.

In his latest analysis of the world behind palace walls, royal correspondent and author Valentine Low has aired claims made by insiders and former aides.

In an extract from his book, Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, shared by The Times, Low writes that while Meghan worked to be portrayed publicly in a positive light during the first official overseas trip, behind the scenes “it was a different story”.

The couple visited Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand together in autumn of 2018. Stay up to date with the latest news on the British Royals with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

Meghan was pregnant with Archie during the royal tour. Picture: Liam Kidston

The book states: “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 claim is one of a series of scathing revelations made about Meghan in Low’s story.

Low also stated that ahead of the couple’s engagement, she attempted to make her arrival known among the palace staff.

The book says: “In the spring of 2017, more than six months before the couple were engaged, she told one of Harry’s advisers: ‘I think we both know I’m going to be one of your bosses soon’.”

In the short snippet shared today, Low’s selection of accounts are critical of Meghan and her actions are painted in a poor light.

Valentine Low’s book is particularly scathing of Meghan. Picture: Getty Images.

The writer asserts that at the start of their relationship, Meghan demanded to be officially recognised as his girlfriend.

His writing claims: “Faced with hordes of journalists intent on trawling through every aspect of Meghan’s life, Harry became determined to protect his girlfriend.

“Meghan, meanwhile, told him that if he did not do something about it, she would break off the relationship. A source said: ‘She was saying, ”If you don’t put out a statement confirming I’m your girlfriend, I’m going to break up with you”.

“Harry was in a panic. Another source said: ‘He was freaking out, saying, “She’s going to dump me”.”

The savage book claims Meghan gave Harry an ultimatum. Picture: AFP.

Explosive bust-ups between the Duchess and her aides during the royal tour of Australia were the focus of the Buckingham Palace bullying probe.

The 16-day trip in 2018 is said to have seen a string of clashes between Meghan and staff.

At one point Meghan is claimed to have lost her temper with an assistant and a hot drink was knocked over.

A source said: “The Australia tour is one of the most important in the royal world but there have long been allegations of rows with staff.

“If these assistants come forward it will form the centre of the Palace’s bullying probe. It was a critical time.”

Meghan and Harry’s tour lasted 11 days. Picture: Getty Images.

The allegations included Meghan becoming upset at being given only a wing of the Australian Governor’s mansion to stay in, rather than the entire property.

A month after the tour, the couple’s first as a royal couple, Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati resigned.

She was the second member of her staff to quit within a year.

The couple’s former press secretary Jason Knauf emailed a senior aide to Prince William to complain: “I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year.”

At the time, Meghan denied allegations of bullying.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission