Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 20, 2025 · Entertainment

Drama Unveiled: How Meghan and Harry's Choices Sparked Royal Turmoil

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games. The Prince would have been well suited to help his wife navigate royal life

The Royal Drama: A Tale of Love, Power, and Scandal

In the cutthroat world of royalty, marrying into the British monarchy is a recipe for disaster. The scrutiny is intense, the expectations are high, and the drama that unfolds can be nothing short of epic. Take, for instance, the infamous marriage between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It's a story of love, loss, and betrayal that has left the royal family reeling.

At the center of this maelstrom is Meghan, the American actress-turned-princess who captivated the world with her charm and beauty. But beneath the surface, a more complex web of relationships and alliances was unfolding. According to royal author Tina Brown, Prince Harry could have been the key to helping Meghan navigate the treacherous waters of palace life. However, he chose not to, leaving his bride to fend for herself against the hostile forces arrayed against her.

Harry and Meghan during their controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey

In her explosive biography, "Palace Papers," Brown reveals that Harry's reluctance to help Meghan was rooted in a deep-seated desire to break free from the constraints of royal protocol. He wanted to be seen as a rebel, a nonconformist who refused to play by the rules. But this decision had far-reaching consequences, leaving Meghan to face the wrath of the British press and the public's unforgiving gaze.

The half-siblings of Meghan, Tom and Samantha Markle, were quick to capitalize on their sister's rise to fame. They began a vicious campaign of criticism and sabotage, attacking Meghan's character and integrity in public. But what they didn't realize was that their efforts would only serve to fuel the drama surrounding the Sussexes.

According to Brown, it was at this point that Meghan's relationship with her new husband began to fray. The couple's obsession with their media coverage had created a toxic atmosphere within their team, with aides and advisors caught in the crossfire of their relentless pursuit of self-promotion.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during the wedding service for Harry and Meghan at St George's Chapel, Windsor

The situation came to a head during the royal tour of Australia in 2018. Behind the scenes, the Sussexes were locked in a bitter struggle for power and control, with Harry and Meghan trading accusations and recriminations with their staff. It was a moment of high drama, with the couple's aides quitting in droves as they struggled to cope with the fallout.

But what happened next would be nothing short of catastrophic. The Sussexes' bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 left the royal family reeling. In a shocking display of candor, Meghan and Harry unleashed a barrage of personal attacks against the institution they had once served so faithfully. They accused the Royal Family of racism, claimed that Prince Charles had made hurtful comments about Archie's skin tone, and even went so far as to suggest that their grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, was out of touch with the needs of modern Britain.

The fallout from the interview was immediate and devastating. The British public turned against the Sussexes, with polls showing a significant increase in support for the Royal Family and a corresponding decline in sympathy for Harry and Meghan. Ofcom received over 6,000 complaints about the interview, making it one of the most complained-about shows of April 2021.

Harry and Meghan in New Zealand in 2018. Their behaviour during their time as working royals led to some 'partially self-inflicted' damage

But amidst the chaos and recrimination, there was one figure who stood above the fray: Queen Elizabeth II. In a masterful display of diplomacy and tact, the monarch issued a statement that would go down in history as a model of measured response. "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan," she said. "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

It was a statement that would prove prophetic, as the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family began to heal in the months that followed. Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from their duties as working royals had created a sense of uncertainty and unease within the palace. But with the Queen's wise words ringing out across the kingdom, it seemed that even the most entrenched divisions might be bridged.

Or so it seemed.

Harry and Meghan wave at well-wishers during their wedding.The couple's dramatic time as working royals started even before Harry and Meghan had walked down the aisles and said 'I do' in St George's Chapel

For in the world of royalty, nothing is ever as it seems. Behind the scenes, alliances are forged and broken, and the pursuit of power and influence drives individuals to extremes they never thought possible. In the case of Harry and Meghan, their desire for freedom and autonomy had led them down a path from which there was no return.

As we look back on the drama that unfolded during their time as working royals, it's clear that the seeds of discord were sown long before the bombshell interview with Oprah. It was a tale of love, loss, and betrayal, played out against the backdrop of one of the most iconic institutions in the world.

And at the heart of it all was Meghan Markle, the American actress-turned-princess who had captured the hearts of millions but struggled to find her place within the rarefied world of royalty.

Tina Brown's best seller 'The Palace Papers' claims that Harry and Meghan were 'addicted to drama'

Royal insider and award winning journalist Tina Brown claims that 'the speed with which Meghan seemed to dispense with people was becoming a meme'

Prince Harry in April 2025. The Prince was allegedly obsessed with the Sussexes coverage in the press

Harry and Meghan at their last official engagement as working royals in 2020

Harry and Meghan attending a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in central London, on March 12, 2018

Royal aide Jason Knauf (pictured) was blamed for not suppressing stories about Meghan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.  The games capped off a royal tour of Australia which by all accounts had been a resounding success

Meghan in Australia in 2018. The Duchess of Sussex clashed with royal aides throughout the trip

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex troubled relationship with the aides led to rumours throughout the royal households