Meghan Markle hit the ground running when she joined the Royal Family and was quickly able to harness the public speaking skills she had built up over the years. However, many authors and commentators have subsequently said Meghan was never able to grasp the fact that The Firm works together as one, rather than operate in individual branches.
The idea was explained in journalist Tina Brown’s book ‘The Palace Papers: Inside The House Of Windsor - The Truth And The Turmoil’ where she wrote that Meghan wanted "leading-lady" status after she and Prince Harry enjoyed a hugely successful royal tour of Australia shortly after their wedding. She added that Meghan reportedly couldn’t understand why no-one was congratulating her and felt that the monarchy “needed her more than she needed them".
Prince Harry and Meghan embarked on their successful 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji in 2018.
Throughout their visit, the newlyweds visited several landmarks including Bondi Beach, the Sydney Opera House and attended the Invictus Games. Their tour mimicked that of The Prince and Princess of Wales' in 1983.
However, it would appear that there was a great deal of confusion taking place beneath the surface as Meghan allegedly struggled to understand the purpose of the various engagements.
A former palace employee told Tina Brown that Meghan found the numerous visits old-fashioned, and would have rather put the spotlight on causes she wanted to highlight.
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Meanwhile, on the couple's return from the tour, the book claims Meghan couldn't understand why nobody told her "well done". Brown wrote that Meghan drew the conclusion "that the monarchy likely needed her more than she needed them".
She added: "She had starred in the equivalent of a blockbuster film and wanted her leading-lady status to be reflected in lights."
Brown’s startling claims were later backed up in royal author Valentine Low’s book ‘Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown’ when he explained the couple’s confusion and lack of understanding at what they were expected to do.
Low wrote: "behind the scenes it was a different story" and Meghan "failed to understand the point" of what they were doing.
The author notes how little acts of kindness such as bringing banana bread to the home of a farming family or visiting a school programme for young Aboriginals meant Meghan was "fêted as an inspirational role model".
However, he says that several members of staff heard Meghan saying "I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this" on at least one occasion.
Despite this, investigative author Tom Bower also claimed in his book ‘Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War with the Windsors’ that the couple felt they had been “blessed” by “Diana’s magic” when their tour was a success.
He wrote: "The Sussexes had convinced themselves that their Australian success blessed them with Diana’s magic. Meghan could not understand that Diana had won the public's affection after years of work.
"Neither she nor Harry could grasp that emulating Diana required time, to weave a narrative and create a brand from which influence would flow."
