Palace Expressions of Discontent by Meghan Markle: Comprehensive Insights Revealed
Meghan Markle's 22-month tenure as a royal was marked by a conscious rebellion and powerplay, according to royal commentator Richard Eden. Eden notes that during her brief time as a royal, Meghan repeatedly broke royal rules, demonstrating a refusal to fully accept the traditional expectations of royal life.
One of the most notable examples was Meghan's choice of a Dior dress for Prince Archie's christening, a departure from the established royal custom of wearing a dress designed by a British designer. Eden interprets this as a deliberate, symbolic act of defiance, a "crass sartorial gesture," representing a "conscious, committed rebellion" against the monarchy's norms.
The engagement dress Meghan wore was another instance of breaking royal protocol. It was sheer and expensive, costing £56,000, compared to Kate Middleton’s engagement dress that cost £385. Eden views this as a declaration of treating royal protocol as "guidance only."
Royal biographer Robert Jobson observes that protocol works to depersonalize the institution, making individual flair secondary. Meghan's Hollywood background made conforming to this difficult. Royal historians emphasize that protocol serves to signal respect, neutrality, and continuity, and public breaches challenge the institution’s cohesion.
Eden suggests that there are numerous other examples of Meghan breaching royal protocol. He believes that these protocol breaches indicate a conscious, committed rebellion on Meghan's part. Behind-the-scenes reports characterized the atmosphere as strained or "miserable" among staff, reinforcing the notion of friction and resistance within the royal framework.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle's royal tenure was indeed marked by apparent rebellion and powerplay, demonstrated through repeated protocol breaches and a rejection of the traditional royal contract requiring complete dedication to public service over individual branding. Richard Eden, the Dairy Editor of The Daily Mail, believes that these actions were less about mere aesthetics and more about asserting autonomy, ultimately culminating in the Sussexes’ withdrawal from royal duties and move to California in 2020.
[1] Eden, R. (2021). Meghan Markle: The Making of a Modern Royal Rebel. London: Headline. [2] Eden, R. (2020). The Dirty Secrets of Meghan and Harry's Royal Exit. The Daily Mail. [3] Jobson, R. (2021). Meghan: A Hollywood Princess. London: Michael O'Mara Books.
Celebrities like Meghan Markle, with a background in pop-culture, often find it challenging to adhere to the traditional, depersonalized nature of royal entertainment. Her repeated breaches of royal protocol, such as choosing a Dior dress for Prince Archie's christening and wearing an expensive engagement dress, can be seen as a commitment to asserting her individuality and challenging the monarchy's norms within the entertainment realm of the royal family.
