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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Camilla was 'pretty miffed' after losing out on royal role to Meghan Markle, says source

When Meghan Markle became a member of the family, she was handed several special roles by the Queen.

These included royal patronages of charities and other organisations that have long-standing links to the Royal Family.

And one special job handed to Meghan once she married Prince Harry was the royal patron of the National Theatre.

It seemed like the perfect fit as Meghan was an actress and had a high-profile role in TV legal drama Suits.

However, according to one source, this role did not go down too well with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who is said to be a fan of the arts.

They told the Times : "She really wanted it. She was pretty miffed when it went to Meghan."

Meghan and Camilla together in 2018 (Getty Images Europe)

However, Meghan managed just one official visit to the National Theatre before she and Harry announced they were stepping down as senior royals and moving to the US for a new life.

Last year, when it was announced neither Harry nor Meghan would be returning to public life, Meghan had to give up the role.

And now, according to the Times, Camilla will be handed the patronage in the coming months.

Meghan on a visit to the National Theatre in 2019 (Getty Images)
Meghan handed back her patronage of the theatre when she stepped down as working royal (Getty Images)

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The source added Camilla will be "all the more delighted to take it on now, after being disappointed not to get it first time round".

However, it's not the first time there has seemingly been a wedge between the two women when it comes to the National Theatre.

Kate and Camilla together at Trooping the Colour in 2019 with Meghan (PA)

In 2020, the Mirror revealed that Camilla was left "very upset" after Meghan insisted photos of her at the theatre appeared on the day as she gave the important address.

Camilla had been planning today’s speech on the 10th anniversary of the Women of the World Festival in London for nearly a year.

But Meghan allegedly broke a pledge not to overshadow Camilla’s vital campaign against abuse by getting the pictures of her private visit to the National Theatre to be published the same day.

Palace officials remained tight-lipped about the row but one well-placed insider said at the time: “Camilla’s work is very important to her and her decision to highlight the scourge of domestic violence at the 10th ­anniversary of Women of the World was a carefully thought-out plan.

“Over the last four years, she has worked tirelessly, mostly behind the scenes but to great effect, to use her ­platform and personal experiences to highlight the issue and help sufferers.

"Of course, it was known Harry and Meghan would be doing engagements this week, some privately, but everyone was in agreement that Camilla’s speech should take p­recedence. ­Unfortunately some people had other ideas.”

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