Why Meghan Markle’s palace nickname still haunts the crown: Attitude problem or royal 'smear campaign'?

Nicknames in royal circles are usually reserved for light-hearted fun. But when Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was allegedly dubbed “Duchess Difficult” by palace staff, it sparked something far more serious than playful teasing. According to a detailed report by The Daily Mail, the moniker didn’t come out of thin air—it was rooted in a flurry of behind-the-scenes tensions, staff resignations, and claims of emotional distress within Kensington Palace.

Meghan, who turned 44 recently, was said to have taken strong offence to the nickname, which emerged following accusations of her being demanding with palace staff, sometimes sending sharp-toned emails as early as 5 a.m. The nickname, however unkind, stuck—becoming a flashpoint in the broader narrative surrounding her time as a working royal.

Wake-Up Calls at Dawn and a Storm Behind Closed Doors

The label was reportedly born from staff complaints about Meghan’s intense work style, including emails with detailed instructions—sometimes laced with emojis—delivered before sunrise. Friends of the Duchess defended this early-bird habit as a product of her California roots and a desire to stay in sync with her mother, Doria Ragland, across time zones. They also pointed to her disturbed sleep during her first pregnancy as another factor.


But not everyone saw it that way. Veteran royal correspondent Valentine Low, speaking on Kinsey Schofield’s Unfiltered YouTube show, recalled receiving multiple reports from palace aides who claimed Meghan’s management style left them in tears. Some reportedly resigned under pressure, while others were left in what Low described as a “psychologically delicate state” even years after parting ways with the Sussexes.

The Allegations Meghan Couldn’t Ignore

Low, who broke the bullying story in The Times just before Meghan and Harry’s landmark 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, said that Meghan was deeply upset by the claims. According to him, the Sussexes tried hard to block or discredit the article—sending what he described as “very feisty” legal letters warning the paper before publication. But when the story went live and no lawsuit followed, Low argued it signaled credibility.

“If a newspaper prints something like that and doesn't get sued, there’s probably something in it,” Low stated.

The report described a workplace atmosphere of tension and anxiety, with one internal palace email—sent by former press secretary Jason Knauf—accusing Meghan of “bullying” staff and “undermining their confidence.” Knauf, who later left the royal household, stood by his claims, reiterating earlier this year in an interview that he had “no regrets.”

Reputation or Retaliation?

Meghan has consistently denied the bullying allegations, labelling them part of a “smear campaign” designed to damage her credibility and silence her. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex strongly pushed back against Low’s claims, accusing him of recycling “false, offensive, and long-discredited allegations” based on anonymous sources.

“This is part of a broader, deeply troubling agenda that seeks to dehumanise a woman who has consistently stood up for fairness, dignity, and truth,” the spokesperson said.

Her defenders, including royal biographer Omid Scobie, have suggested that the nickname was weaponised by those within the palace who wanted to isolate her. In his book Finding Freedom, Scobie wrote that the term "Duchess Difficult" was never about Meghan’s character but rather a calculated effort to diminish her influence.

What the Staff Exodus Suggests

Since moving to the United States in 2020, Meghan and Prince Harry have reportedly lost 25 staff members—including six in the last four months alone. While staff turnover is common in celebrity and royal circles, Low sees it as a continuation of earlier troubles.

“If they were difficult to work for then, they’re difficult to work for now,” he remarked.

The repeated staff departures, combined with enduring emotional fallout among former aides, have only added fuel to the ongoing debate about Meghan’s time in the royal household—and the legacy of the "Duchess Difficult" nickname.