Former royal aides described Meghan Markle as a “complete narcissist” and labeled her as “unhinged”
Former staff who worked closely with Meghan Markle characterized her as deeply self-centered. Royal correspondent Valentine Low detailed these claims in his work. Staff members, including prominent figures like private secretary Samantha Cohen, voiced that they faced bullying from both Meghan and Prince Harry, generating an environment filled with tension and fear during their time in service.
This negative atmosphere led some staff to feel manipulated, sharing statements such as “We were played.” The high turnover rate of personnel assigned to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed these frustrations. Cohen noted that finding replacements for staff was challenging and that new aides often left shortly after joining, highlighting the unstable dynamic.
A collective of former staff formed the “Sussex Survivors Club” due to their negative experiences
Many former team members united under the name “Sussex Survivors Club” in response to their difficult experiences while working for the couple. According to these individuals, Meghan crafted a narrative of being shunned by palace aides, which they believe served to validate her role as a victim. This portrayal coincided with their decision to step away from royal duties in 2020.
Staff members indicated that the institution, referring to the monarchy and its support staff, was often placed in a position where their primary concern became Meghan's perceived happiness. They observed that Meghan seemed more invested in being portrayed as a victim than in genuinely seeking happiness within the royal framework.
Claims arose that Meghan “wanted to be rejected” due to her obsession with the victim narrative
Over time, many staff felt increasingly disillusioned and began to question Meghan's intentions. Reports suggest that they suspected her public expressions of distress may have been part of a calculated plan to exit the royal family. Historian Robert Lacey mentioned that some royal aides viewed her as a bully, noting that she often positioned herself as the victim while exerting control over those around her.
In a notable interview, Meghan spoke candidly about her mental health struggles during a challenging period in her life. She described experiencing thoughts of suicide amid relentless scrutiny from the media and public after giving birth to her son, Archie. Meghan expressed feeling hopeless, stating, “I just didn’t see a solution.” Furthermore, she claimed that requests for mental health support were dismissed by palace officials, who feared that providing assistance would lead to negative publicity for the institution.