Meghan Markle a 'CHALLENGE' to Royal Family as Duchess 'reaches over' to US friends
MEGHAN MARKLE could become a "potentially divisive" figure within the Royal Family because of her ambition and outspokenness, historian Anna Whitelock claimed.
Meghan Markle is a 'challenge' to the royal family says expert
Meghan Markle has sparked the curiosity and criticism of the international public since she married into the Royal Family in May 2018. The Duchess of Sussex was an outspoken supporter of female empowerment causes while working as an actress in the US, a passion the Duchess brought into her royal duties. But historian Anna Whitelock warned Meghan's character could become "potentially divisive" and prove to be a "challenge" to the Royal Family.
Speaking to Yahoo's The Royal Box, Ms Whitelock said: "This is the sense that Meghan is this American outsider, a commoner, a mature woman of status, of ambition and, of course, who’s articulate and has views.
"All of those things can be celebrated or they can be seen as potentially divisive and a challenge, and that’ what she’s having to learn over the last year."
Andrew Morton, a biographer to Princess Diana, however dismissed Ms Whitelock's claim as he insisted the Duchess of Sussex has been subjected to the "same narrative" her late mother-in-law had to face when she married Prince Charles.
Mr Morton pointed out Meghan had "reached over the UK media" and had allegedly enlisted the help of friends to put her case to the public without interference from Buckingham Palace.
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The royal biographer said: "What I find interesting is she’s been criticised as ‘Duchess Difficult’ and there have been attacks on her because her Scotland Yard bodyguard resigned and various members of staff have resigned.
"It was the same narrative as Diana. She started off as the fairytale princess and within 18 months she was being described in the media as a fiend and a monster because various members of her staff had left. It’s a bit of cliche’ to use that narrative about her.
"Meghan is all about reaching over the heads of the UK media and using her American friends because ho many of Prince Harry’s friends have spoken up for Meghan and for Harry?"
He added: "They’ve all been silent because that’s the traditional way but it’s the American friends, this cohort of George Clooney, Serena Williams and Oprah who have been outspoken."
Earlier this month, CBS News released a new documentary to mark the birth of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's firstborn, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Several friends of the Duchess of Sussex took part in the project to share details about Meghan, with a royal insider claiming the Duchess had given her "blessing" for their participation.
The Sun cited a so-called "royal insider" who claimed Meghan's alleged decision had breached royal protocol: "It’s simply not the appropriate thing to be getting involved in TV shows about the family.
“Our belief is Meghan has been aware of this TV project for at least the last month and hoped that certain allies and friends spoke out."
But Buckingham Palace denied allegations the Duchess had been involved with the filming, with a Palace spokeswoman saying: "The Duchess has not had any involvement in the CBS special, nor has she requested or given permission to friends to participate.”
The documentary paid close attention to Meghan Markle’s new life as a member of the Royal Family with a focus on the negative scrutiny the Duchess has received in the press.
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Meghan has been the protagonist of criticisms from royal fans and royal commentators in the past months - with many complaining about her decision to keep birth plans for baby Archie a secret.
These comments were fuelled by unnamed royal insiders claiming the Duchess was being “difficult” and “dictatorial” with members of her staff.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward suggested the Duchess’ behaviour has sparked concern among senior members of the staff.
Ms Seward said: "I don’t think the Royal Family are ready for any feminist comments at all.
"Some of the more old-fashioned courtiers recoil when they see some of the things that Meghan says."
Ms Seward, one of the most prominent writers on the British Royal Family, continued: "It’s likely they feel they might get into trouble because she might be putting her feet into the political abyss.
"The Royal Family don’t talk about politics because they don’t want to get criticised for that.
“Meghan is walking a very tight rope there."