Meghan Markle ‘reeling’ over explosive US claims

Meghan has reportedly been left in shock over a recent hit of negative publicity, which kicked off in a Hollywood industry bible.

IN LONDON

Meghan Markle is reportedly “reeling” in the wake of the recent Hollywood exposé which described her as “difficult” and a “dictator”, as a fierce rebuttal of the explosive allegations emerged in another US publication.

The explosive original article, by industry bible The Hollywood Reporter, generated buzz all over the world last week, with allegations within it painting a picture of the Duchess of Sussex as a “terrible” employer who had “reduced grown men to tears”.

On Tuesday, another piece emerged to contradict the claims, with US Weekly speaking to current and former staff on the record, who gushed over her being the “best boss ever”.

The Sussexes’ global head of communications, Ashley Hansen, was even quoted by name, describing the support she received when she’d had to undergo surgery.

“Meghan would personally reach out to my husband daily to make sure that we both were OK and had support,” she told the publication.

Meghan is facing a tide of negative publicity. Picture: Raul Arboleda/AFP

Current and former staffers have since spoken up in her defence. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

However, just hours later, the Daily Beast published yet more unflattering allegations.

In an article posted on Wednesday, a former courtier who worked for Meghan and Harry claimed that she could be a “demon” boss who had “psycho” and “very bad” moments.

“I witnessed people being chewed up in person and over the phone and made to feel like s**t,” the unnamed source said, but added that “it was an incredibly fraught time and I’m inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

The tide of negative publicity flowing from their new home in America has reportedly rocked Harry and Meghan.

“The Sussexes were left reeling by The Hollywood Reporter’s story,” an insider told The Sun on Wednesday, adding: “It appears that the Us Weekly story was sanctioned by the ­couple as even Archewell’s ­current global head of communications, Ashley Hansen, was quoted by name.”

While the Sussexes’ team has denied THR’s allegations, the widely-read Hollywood publication is firmly standing its ground.

In an interview with Access Hollywood, Maer Roshan, Co-Editor in Chief of THR, revealed that the claim Meghan is a “dictator in high heels” came from someone “very high up” who still works for the royal couple.

“Our reporter spoke with a dozen people, most of them are people who work very close with the couple in varying capacities – now and previously,” Mr. Roshan told the show.

“Our reporter talked to one very high up source who works for the couple who said: ‘Everyone is terrified of Meghan Markle’.

“Duchess Difficult is a nickname that has trailed Meghan Markle for quite a few years. What is new is this notion (since) coming to America, that a lot of those rumours were manufactured by the Palace and the reporting that we did suggests that probably isn’t true, that there is still this undercurrent of fear’.”

The couple has been trying to carve out post-royal careers in the US. Picture: CBS Sunday Morning

Meghan has previously firmly denied allegations of bullying, which surfaced in 2021 but were claimed to have occurred during her time as a working royal.

As well as her team’s denials, friends and supporters of Meghan have also spoken out in her defence over the years.

“Two things can be possible at once. The couple does help a lot of people. Meghan and Harry declined to comment for our story,” Mr. Roshan added.

“I think Meghan would have said that barking around orders is something that we expect from men and it would never raise an eyebrow’.”

Meghan once opened up about her approach with staff in the workplace during an episode of her former podcast, Archetypes.

“Just say what is it that you need, you’re allowed to set a boundary, you’re allowed to be clear,” she told guests Issa Rae and Ziwe.

“It does not make you demanding, it does not make you difficult, it makes you clear.”

Originally published as Meghan Markle ‘reeling’ over explosive US claims