Meghan Markle's 'Messiah Complex' and Hugging Habits Stirred Royal Tensions, New Book Claims

Meghan Markle’s time at Kensington Palace was reportedly fraught with tension, according to claims made in a new book by royal author Tom Quinn.

Quinn’s book, "Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants," is based on interviews with past and present palace staff. Among the many revelations, aides accused the Duchess of Sussex of having a "messiah complex" and nicknamed her "Duchess of Difficult" even before her and Prince Harry's royal exit.

"Several staff members believed Meghan felt she could save the world," Quinn shared, highlighting the duchess's ambitious but, in their view, unrealistic goals to tackle global issues like poverty. "Her intentions were genuine, but the scale of her vision was seen as impractical."

Adding fuel to the fire, some aides suspected Meghan was attempting to emulate Princess Diana’s legacy. One former staffer even alleged, "She once said, ‘What Diana started, I want to finish.’" Admirable in theory, but this reportedly unsettled the palace, which feared Meghan’s star might eclipse senior royals like Princess Anne, King Charles, and even the Queen.

It wasn’t just her ideas that caused friction. Meghan’s penchant for hugging—something she considered a warm gesture—was viewed as overly familiar, even "rude," by royal standards. Prince William and others were reportedly uncomfortable with her affectionate greetings, and the resulting gossip only widened the rift between William and Harry.

"Whenever Meghan hugged someone, it sparked rumors," Quinn wrote. "While staff agreed the rumors were baseless, they spread like wildfire in the palace’s gossipy environment."

Meghan’s adjustment to royal life wasn’t seamless. Some staff described her as overly friendly at times and demanding at others. Her frustration with rigid protocols—like coordinating her schedule around senior royals—earned her mixed reputations, from "Mystic Meg" to the less flattering "Duchess of Difficult."

Despite the tensions, Quinn noted that Meghan’s early interactions with Prince William and Kate Middleton were positive. "At first, they found her delightful," one staffer recalled. However, as Meghan’s American directness and "New Agey" ideals clashed with royal traditions, perceptions shifted.

Ultimately, Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back as senior royals in 2020 was seen by some as a pursuit of liberation. "In a way, Meghan upsetting the status quo paved the way for change," Quinn suggested.

Now living in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem to have embraced their independence, focusing on their family and philanthropic endeavors. Whether Meghan’s bold approach was a blessing or a curse for the monarchy remains a subject of debate.