Royal biographer reveals behind-the-scenes tension during Duchess’s early days
A forthcoming royal biography has revealed fresh details about the early challenges Meghan Markle faced within palace walls, highlighting what insiders describe as “intense conflict” between the Duchess and royal staff.
In his 2025 book, Yes, Ma'am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, author Tom Quinn draws on accounts from former Palace aides to explore Meghan’s transition into royal life following her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Though the wedding was hailed as a modern fairytale, behind the scenes Meghan reportedly struggled to adapt to centuries-old royal customs. According to the book, the Duchess's assertive nature and ambition to lead clashed with long-standing traditions and expectations of deference.
“She often thought certain traditions, like curtsying, were jokes,” one insider recalled. Others noted that Meghan believed she could help modernise the monarchy from within — an approach that allegedly put her at odds with royal courtiers.
Quinn's book paints a picture of a woman entering the Firm with confidence and vision, only to be met with resistance from a system rooted in hierarchy and protocol. The revelations offer new context for the ongoing tension between the Sussexes and the royal establishment.
