Duke of Sussex Clarifies Misconceptions About Duchess's Integration into Royal Family
Prince Harry has addressed the ongoing rumours surrounding Meghan Markle's alleged breaches of royal protocol, offering clarity on the matter. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who met in the summer of 2016 and made their relationship public after a trip to Botswana, have faced intense public scrutiny since joining the Royal Family.
Over the next two years, Meghan adapted to royal life, learning about British customs, including the royal anthem and wave. In 2020, the couple decided to step back from their roles as working royals, moving to Los Angeles to raise their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. This transition included a notable interview with Oprah, Harry's memoir Spare, and an intimate Netflix series offering insights into their lives.
During the docuseries, Harry refuted claims that Meghan had violated royal protocol. Meghan herself spoke about her experience, referencing her mention of the #MeToo movement at a 2018 forum: "I didn't know that that would be taboo to talk about", she said, adding that she was aware of the protocols but had to learn them on her own.
"There’s no class [where] some person goes, 'Sit like this, cross your legs like this, use this fork, don’t do this, curtsy then, wear this kind of hat'," Meghan explained. She taught herself the 'royal wave' and British national anthem, noting, "you don't wanna wave like an American".
Despite reports that the late Queen suggested Meghan receive guidance from Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Meghan reportedly declined the offer. A documentary voiceover suggested Meghan "broke royal protocol" by hugging a schoolgirl in Birmingham in 2018.
Harry criticised the media for inventing protocols and described Meghan’s experience of adapting to royal life as "baptism by fire," highlighting the immense pressure and public scrutiny she faced.
