It's now been more than two years since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their decision to walk away from royal life, and since then, so many people (read: "royal experts") have been trying to piece together what happened — and what's still happening — behind the scenes. Though Harry and Meghan themselves did provide some insight in their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, there's still so much we don't know for sure. But if you're curious, there have been plenty of books written about the royals in that time that are gossipy enough to satisfy you.
One of the most recent releases is from Tom Bower, who wrote Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors. There's certainly been some debate about how accurate the book is, but we can't deny that the pieces of intel coming out about Meghan are pretty juicy.
Ready to get updated on what the rumor mill is churning out about the Duchess of Sussex these days? Read on for all the most salacious revelations from Revenge.
Harry's Friends Didn't Approve of Meghan
Bower wrote that Harry's friends called him "f—ing nuts" for dating Meghan after they had the chance to meet her in person for the first time. Apparently, Harry and Meghan met up with some of his pals from Eton College, and when they started making "jokes about sexism, feminism, and transgender people," Meghan drew the line.
"She lacked any sense of humor. Driving home after Sunday lunch, the texts pinged between the cars: 'OMG, what about HER?'" Bower wrote about the meetup.
The Royals Wanted Meghan To Make Up With Her Dad
Royal watchers will remember the drama that Meghan had with her dad, Thomas Markle, leading up to her wedding in May 2018. Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles had hoped that Meghan would be the bigger person and end the feud ahead of the big day, which we now know she didn't.
Bower wrote that Elizabeth "joined Charles in a conference call with Meghan and Harry. At the outset, Charles and his mother urged Meghan to fly to America for a reconciliation."
But Meghan thought that doing so was "unrealistic" and would bring even more shame to the royal family, so she stayed put.
She Wanted More Royal Protection
Bower also wrote that Meghan was upset that the royals didn't do more to prove that they were on her side publicly during her feud with her father.
"Meghan was angry that Palace officials refused to protect her image," Bower wrote. "She refused to accept that staff were not employed to promote her as an individual, but instead placed her within the grid of the entire royal family. In particular, Meghan fumed about the refusal officially to criticize Thomas Markle. From her perspective, Meghan was isolated, vulnerable, and stifled by conventions."
The 'Vanity Fair' Interview
Meghan sat down with Vanity Fair in 2017 and briefly talked about her romance with Harry. According to Bower, Meghan had been told explicitly not to mention him, and even though she tried to get the magazine to pull the quote, the damage had been done — and this upset the royals to no end before she and Harry were even publicly dating.
Elizabeth Didn't Want Meghan at Prince Philip's Funeral
We know now that Harry made a solo trip back to the UK for his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral, leaving a very pregnant Meghan behind in California. And apparently, her in-laws didn't miss her. Bower wrote that the Queen said "thank goodness" when she heard that Meghan wouldn't be joining her grandson. Well, then.
The Sussexes Didn't Like Their Platinum Jubilee Treatment
Bower also wrote that Harry and Meghan were less than impressed that they hadn't been invited to join the royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. They also felt snubbed by the seating arrangements at the Jubilee service at St. Paul's Cathedral.
"Festering was their fury that the Palace had refused all of their demands for a prominent role at the Jubilee in return for returning to Britain with their children," Bower wrote.
A Royal Aide Predicted Meghan & Harry's Marriage Will End
Bower also wrote that Lady Susan Hussey, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, said in 2018 that Harry and Meghan's marriage was destined to "end in tears."
"While discussing the possibility that Meghan might become linked with the National Theatre (as a royal patron) after the wedding, Hussey became unexpectedly serious about the couple's future," Bower wrote. "'That will all end in tears,' she is alleged to have said. 'Mark my words.'"
Meghan & Harry Lost Sleep Over Rumors
Bower also wrote that Meghan and Harry troubled themselves over the relentless rumors they read about themselves in the media, including one that made it seem that Victoria Beckham was leaking stories about Meghan to the press.
"Harry's instability fed Meghan's fears that friends were leaking stories to the media. In particular, she suspected Victoria Beckham of indiscretion," he wrote. "Harry called David Beckham to repeat the accusation. Outraged, Beckham's truthful denials damaged their relationship."
Kate Wasn't Welcoming
When Meghan joined the royal family, Bower wrote that she expected that she and sister-in-law Kate Middleton had plenty to bond over, and she was upset when it didn't work out that way.
"Within a short time, she complained that Kate had not adequately welcomed her," he said. "The difference of background and experience made them unlikely soulmates. There could be little intimacy."
Kate Grew Frustrated With Meghan
As someone who had also joined the royal family as an outsider, Kate was supposedly not impressed by Meghan's determination to "hit the ground running" as a royal and quickly became "irritated."
"Unlike her own cautious approach to 'learn the ropes' before engaging in royal duties, Meghan was running — but what was her destination? And who was she running with?" Bower wrote. "Did she realize that the royal family ran together under the monarch, not as competitive individuals?"
Meghan Happily Lived Apart From Her First Husband
Meghan reportedly wasn't pressed to live apart from first husband Trevor Engelson while filming Suits — in fact, she welcomed the opportunity to live in Canada instead of commuting from Los Angeles.
"Although Meghan could commit herself to Trevor, she did not like being possessed," Bower wrote. "If necessary, Suits was her get-out card from the relationship."
She Actually Did Make Kate Cry
Though Meghan denied making Kate cry before her wedding, claiming in her interview with Oprah that it was actually the other way around, Bower said that's not what happened — and it was all because of a disagreement involving the flower girls. He wrote that Kate "burst into tears" when Meghan "compared Princess Charlotte unfavorably to her best friend Jessica Mulroney's daughter."
Earl Spencer Advised Against Meghan and Harry's Marriage
Bower also wrote that Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's younger brother, weighed in on whether he thought Meghan was a good match for Harry, and he reportedly believed that a marriage between them was a bad idea.
"At William's request, Spencer weighed in. Three-times-married Spencer cautioned his nephew to reconsider his haste towards marriage," he wrote. "His advice provoked a bitter reaction. 'This was going to be really hard,' Harry would later reflect on establishing Meghan's place in the family."
The Princess Diana Comparisons
Through the first year of Meghan's time as a working royal, comparisons were made between her and Princess Diana, including when she and Harry toured Australia much like Diana and Charles did, and she let the comparisons go to her head.
"The Sussexes had convinced themselves that their Australian success had blessed them with Diana's magic," Bower wrote. "Perhaps encouraged by Harry, Meghan appeared to conjure a fantasy that she could provide the leadership the monarchy required. Her activism would enhance the brand. To her staff, she gave the impression that she believed she personified the monarchy's importance."
Harry Tried To Stick Up for Meghan
During the earlier days of their relationship, Harry reportedly reached out to William, asking him if Kate could be a bit warmer to Meghan, and that appeared to be where their brotherly relationship began to unravel.
"Members of their family, said Harry, were not showing [Meghan] sufficient support, respect, or friendship," Bower wrote. "Meghan, Harry believed, should be just as appreciated as their mother [Princess Diana]. William's reply was not sympathetic."
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