The British media’s fixation on Meghan Markle is nothing short of relentless. From the moment her relationship with Prince Harry became public, a wave of scrutiny, criticism, and outright hostility has followed her every move. Three journalists, in particular, have played an outsized role in shaping this negative media narrative: Carole Malone, Kinsey Schofield, Tina Brown, and Camilla Tominey.
These women have built careers on royal commentary, but their coverage of Meghan Markle has been uniquely biased, often distorting facts or pushing damaging narratives. This post explores their careers, their affiliations, and their contributions to the ongoing vilification of Meghan Markle.
Carole Malone: The Seasoned Tabloid Critic
Background and Career
Carole Malone is a British journalist and broadcaster known for her blunt and often controversial opinions. She has spent decades as a columnist in the British tabloid industry, writing for newspapers that have historically profited from royal scandals.
Media Affiliations
- Print Media: Malone has written for tabloids such as The Daily Mirror, News of the World, and Sunday Mirror, frequently focusing on celebrity culture and political commentary.
- Television: She has been a commentator on various UK news shows, including Tonight Live with Dan Wootton, where she became known for her outspoken takes on the royal family.¹
Role in Meghan Markle’s Media Narrative
Malone has repeatedly attacked Meghan Markle in her columns, portraying her as manipulative, self-absorbed, and attention-seeking. In her January 2025 article, “Spoiled brat Prince Harry actually makes me feel sorry for Meghan Markle (well, almost),” she dismissed Prince Harry’s legal battle against the tabloids, calling him a “spoiled brat” and an “obsessive man-child.” While acknowledging that media intrusion into Harry and Diana’s lives was harmful, she paradoxically criticized Harry for taking legal action against the very institutions that have historically profited from their suffering.
Malone’s rhetoric is a prime example of how the British tabloid press manipulates narratives. She downplays Meghan’s struggles while pushing the idea that Meghan is a “professional victim,” a label frequently weaponized against women who speak out against unfair treatment.
Kinsey Schofield: The Opportunistic Royal Commentator
Background and Career
Kinsey Schofield is an American entertainment reporter who has carved a niche for herself as a royal commentator. Unlike Malone, who operates within the UK tabloid ecosystem, Schofield provides a US-centric take on British royal affairs, making her a key figure in shaping how American audiences perceive Meghan Markle.
Media Affiliations
- Television & Digital Media: Schofield has appeared on various news platforms such as Fox News, providing commentary on royal affairs.²
- Online Journalism: She frequently contributes to gossip websites, analyzing royal news from a perspective that leans into sensationalism.
Role in Meghan Markle’s Media Narrative
Schofield’s criticism of Meghan is particularly insidious because it is wrapped in faux sympathy. For instance, in a January 2025 interview with The New York Post, she suggested that Meghan was in a “bad place” following a Vanity Fair exposé, subtly reinforcing the narrative that Meghan and Harry are emotionally unstable.³
She has also accused the couple of attempting to “buy the public’s respect” by accepting awards and engaging in philanthropy. This perspective is not only misleading but ignores the fact that nearly all celebrities and public figures engage in similar image management. The difference? Meghan is treated as uniquely calculating, while others are praised for their “brand strategy.”
Schofield thrives on speculation, insider gossip, and unchecked claims, presenting herself as an authority while offering little evidence for her criticisms.
Background and Career
Tina Brown (born 1953) is a British-American journalist, editor, and author known for her influential role in shaping modern magazine journalism. She has led several major publications, bringing a mix of investigative reporting and celebrity-driven content to mainstream media.
- Editor of Tatler (1979-1983): Brown revamped the British society magazine, increasing its popularity among younger audiences.
- Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair (1984-1992): Under her leadership, Vanity Fair became a powerhouse of celebrity journalism, blending investigative reporting with cultural and political commentary.
- Editor of The New Yorker (1992-1998): She modernized the prestigious publication, bringing in fresh voices and increasing readership.
- Founder of Talk Magazine (1999-2002): A high-profile but short-lived venture backed by Harvey Weinstein. The magazine struggled financially and eventually folded.
- Author of The Diana Chronicles (2007): A biography of Princess Diana that examined her media image and role within the royal family.
- Author of The Palace Papers (2022): A book analyzing the British royal family, including Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and their departure from royal duties.
Role in Meghan Markle’s Media Narrative
Tina Brown has been a vocal critic of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, often portraying them as unprepared and overly ambitious in their break from the British monarchy. In The Palace Papers, Brown argued that Meghan did not fully understand the institution of the royal family and that her Hollywood-style approach clashed with the monarchy’s traditions. She also suggested that Harry was naïve and emotionally driven, making their transition away from royal duties more chaotic.
- Criticism of Meghan’s Ambitions: Brown has described Meghan’s ideas and media ventures as lacking depth and failing to resonate. She believes Meghan miscalculated how easily she could shape her public image outside the royal family.
- View on Harry’s Decisions: She portrays Prince Harry as deeply influenced by emotion, particularly his resentment toward the press and royal institution, which Brown believes led to strategic missteps.
- Media Influence: Brown’s insights into the royal family are widely covered in mainstream media, reinforcing the narrative that Meghan and Harry were unprepared for royal life and have struggled in their post-royal careers.
Her commentary contributes to the ongoing media divide on Meghan Markle, influencing how both supporters and critics perceive the Duchess of Sussex.
Tina Brown, the renowned magazine editor and author, has publicly criticized Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in a recent podcast appearance. Speaking on The Ankler podcast, Brown described Meghan as having “the worst judgement of anyone in the entire world,” calling her a “perfectionist about getting it all wrong.” Brown criticized Meghan for ignoring advice and pursuing her own ideas, which she deemed ineffective. She also characterized Prince Harry as “naive” and “unschooled in the ways of the world,” suggesting he was easily influenced by Meghan, whom he saw as a savvy Hollywood insider. Brown argued that Harry, who excelled in his royal role and military career, became a “lamb to the slaughter” after meeting Meghan, blindly following her lead.
Brown, who has deep knowledge of the royal family from her time editing Tatler and writing best-selling books like The Diana Chronicles and The Palace Papers, expressed regret over Harry’s departure from royal life. She believes he was “flawless” as a prince but has struggled to find his footing since stepping back from his royal duties.
However, Brown’s sharp critique highlights the ongoing scrutiny and divided opinions surrounding the couple’s decisions and public image.
Tina Brown made controversial remarks about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, calling Meghan’s ideas “total crap,” Harry “naïve,” and working with Harvey Weinstein the “dumbest” career move. The r/RoyalsGossip subreddit allowed discussion on the topic but actively moderated it. Users had mixed reactions: some agreed with Brown, believing Meghan and Harry were naïve about royal life, while others defended Meghan, arguing she was unfairly targeted despite performing royal duties well. Some criticized Harry more than Meghan, while others dismissed Brown’s opinion as clickbait. The discussion reflected divided perspectives on the Sussexes.
Camilla Tominey: The Royal Family’s Mouthpiece
Background and Career
Camilla Tominey is a British journalist specializing in royal coverage. Born on June 14, 1978, she studied law at the University of Leeds before transitioning into journalism.⁴ She has positioned herself as a serious royal correspondent, though her reporting often carries a clear pro-monarchy bias.
Media Affiliations
- Print Media: Tominey has worked for leading British newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail.
- Television: She is a frequent guest on news programs discussing royal affairs.
Role in Meghan Markle’s Media Narrative
Tominey is perhaps best known for breaking the false “Meghan made Kate cry” story in 2018. She reported that Meghan had made Kate Middleton cry during a bridesmaid fitting—only for Meghan to later reveal in her Oprah interview that the opposite was true: Kate had made Meghan cry. This story, despite being debunked, continues to circulate, largely because of Tominey’s early reporting.
Beyond this, Tominey has been dismissive of racial bias in media coverage of Meghan, suggesting that Meghan’s struggles were due to her lack of preparation for royal life rather than systemic racism. This stance ignores overwhelming evidence that Meghan faced uniquely racialized scrutiny compared to other royal women.
Her reporting often aligns with the Royal Family’s interests, subtly shifting blame onto Harry and Meghan rather than critically examining the institution itself.
The Bigger Picture: Why These Figures Matter
Carole Malone, Kinsey Schofield, and Camilla Tominey exemplify different facets of the media machine that continues to vilify Meghan Markle:
- Malone represents the old-school British tabloid cruelty—sensationalist, ruthless, and profit-driven.
- Schofield reflects the newer wave of international commentators who amplify royal gossip under the guise of expertise.
- Tominey acts as a royal insider, reinforcing pro-monarchy narratives while dismissing Meghan’s experiences.
Their reporting is not just about Meghan—it reflects a broader media culture that profits from attacking high-profile women. The same narratives once used against Princess Diana—that she was unstable, attention-seeking, and difficult—are now repackaged for Meghan.
What Can Be Done?
- Media literacy is key: Recognizing bias and agenda-driven journalism is the first step in breaking this toxic cycle.
- Support ethical journalism: There are responsible journalists who cover royal affairs with nuance and fairness.
- Challenge misinformation: The more people push back against false narratives, the less power these commentators have.
If the media truly learned anything from Diana’s tragic fate, it would stop engaging in the same harmful patterns with Meghan Markle. The question is—will they?
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