Tina Brown, former Vanity Fair editor and royal biographer, has been highly critical of Meghan Markle’s understanding and actions within the Royal Family. On The Ankler podcast, Brown described Meghan’s judgment as “flawless about getting it all wrong,” pointing to her inability to comprehend the core responsibilities of being a royal. According to Brown, Meghan’s expectations clashed with the reality of royal duties, leading to her dissatisfaction with official tours, particularly the 2018 Australian tour, which Meghan reportedly hated and found “pointless.” Brown suggests that Meghan misinterpreted the role, believing she could follow Princess Diana’s path to global humanitarian success without putting in the years of service Diana endured.

Meghan’s discontent stemmed from what she saw as a lack of purpose in public engagements, a sentiment she reportedly expressed during her time in Australia, where she questioned why crowds gathered to see her. Instead of embracing her representational role within the monarchy, Meghan wanted to spotlight her own causes, a move that distanced her from the traditional royal model of service. Brown argues that this fundamental misunderstanding of her role within the institution led to growing friction within the Royal Family and ultimately the couple’s departure from royal life. Brown also alluded to the couple’s failed attempts to manage their exit and suggested Harry blindly followed Meghan, which resulted in what she called a “disaster.”

Meghan owes no one anything

While Meghan Markle has faced significant criticism, the Royal Family must also bear responsibility for the breakdown in relations. Meghan entered an institution rooted in centuries of tradition, but little was done to modernize those practices or accommodate her diverse, global perspective. Rather than offering guidance or mentorship, the family failed to properly integrate her into the fabric of royal life, leaving her isolated and vulnerable to media scrutiny.

Furthermore, Meghan’s background as a biracial, independent American woman was seen as a threat to the status quo, and the monarchy was unprepared for the new wave of attention and scrutiny she attracted. Her desire to champion social justice causes, particularly those related to race and women’s empowerment, was at odds with the monarchy’s often conservative approach, which resulted in her being misunderstood and marginalized. The Royal Family’s inability to provide her the space and support to navigate these challenges, combined with a rigid adherence to protocol, ultimately alienated Meghan and stifled her potential to bring about positive change from within.

The monarchy’s lack of foresight in managing Meghan’s integration, coupled with their failure to protect her from relentless negative press, allowed toxic narratives to dominate the public discourse. Rather than capitalizing on Meghan’s strengths—her ability to connect with younger, more diverse audiences—the Royal Family prioritized tradition over adaptation, which led to the unraveling of what could have been a dynamic partnership that resonated with the modern world.