Meghan Markle has always been passionate about charitable work and activisim, but there's one thing that stops her commendable work from getting praise, according to one expert.
While fans are always eager to hear about the new projects she has been working on, there is still a sense of cynicism in some quarters about Meghan's attempts to do good, and one royal expert has analysed just why there is "lingering suspicion" around the Duchess.
Historian and royal guru Tessa Dunlop argues that no matter how hard Meghan tries, there is an innate conflict between the couple's need to make money and their desire to make waves on the international philanthropic scene that might mean for some, the Duchess and her efforts "doesn't wash".
Since stepping back as working royals and moving across the pond, the couple do need to make their own money - and a lot of it. Harry admitted himself in his memoir Spare that private security for their family was quoted at the tune of £6 million for one year, and generating enough income to cover this and their other lifestyle expenses is no mean feat.
The combination of these two, somewhat opposing, public brands of celebrity versus royal means that in Dunlop's view, Meghan's charity works will never land for some people. The expert writes: "It is this hybrid identity that trips up Duchess Meghan's efforts at altruism. First and foremost, she is an actor, a respectfully ambitious woman who made it in a tough industry on her own. That primary image is now tempered by an apparent broader 'queenly' desire to be seen as something bigger, more profound: a philanthropic influencer, a community player. And it doesn't wash."
The expert historian notes that Harry's continued charity work - for instance with the Invictus Games and his charity Sentebale - may sit more comfortably with the public simply because he was born and raised in the royal sphere, so doesn't have a conflicting professional background, or public identity, rubbing against his good works.
"Ploddish Prince Harry could probably get away with a backslapping-handshaking existence as a modern equivalent of the Duke of Windsor, on the basis that once a prince, always a prince," she told The Independent. But Meghan is a harder sell. She married into royalty, but rejected the life that came with it, much of which is premised on funded philanthropy, while opting to keep the Duchess title and do her own thing. However unfair it feels, there will always be a lingering suspicion that Meghan's end goal is not the philanthropic mission, but rather the Sussex brand."
New claims have emerged in a report by Vanity Fair that allege some staff who worked with Meghan on her podcast Archetypes found it a difficult experience - only adding to the sense for some of the public that there is a discrepancy between her public altruistic self, and what Meghan's really like behind closed doors.
Rumours of unhappy staff members have plagued Meghan since her time as a working royal - when Kensington Palace investigated claims of bullying against two aides by the Duchess. The claims were made public in 2021, and an internal review took place at the palace - the results of which were kept private.
Meghan firmly denied these claims, which her spokesperson called the "latest attack on her character" at the time, and said that as a victim "of bullying herself [she] is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma".
However, since leaving life as a working royal behind - more allegations that the Duchess is sometimes tricky to work with have surfaced. In September 2024, the Hollywood Reporter published an article quoting people who had worked for Meghan who claimed they'd found the experience challenging.
One source was quoted as saying: "Everyone's terrified of Meghan...She belittles people, she doesn't take advice. They're both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently." And another was reported as saying, "She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders. I've watched her reduce grown men to tears".
The recent report in Vanity Fair claims that some staffers took "extended" breaks, or left prematurely after working with Meghan at Spotify, with one even allegedly embarking on a long-term therapy journey after their time working under the Duchess.
According to The Times, Harry and Meghan have denied the Vanity Fair claims and are said to be 'distressed' by the ordeal. Shortly after the report in the Hollywood Reporter was published, several current and former staff members went on the record with US Weekly with their own, entirely positive, experiences of working with the couple - and in Vanity Fair's report, whilst some staff members found it challenging working with Meghan, other's reported the experience as a positive one.
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