Former royal press secretary and biographer Dickie Arbiter has challenged claims regarding the Duchess of Sussex’s transition into the British monarchy, stating that Palace aides offered comprehensive guidance that was ultimately ignored. Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, Arbiter suggested that Meghan Markle’s self-reliance led her to dismiss institutional advice during her tenure as a working royal, asserting that early public appearances already signaled underlying tension within the royal household.
According to Arbiter, seasoned Palace advisors, including former assistant private secretary Samantha Cohen, worked to assist the Duchess following her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry in Windsor. However, Arbiter argued that Markle’s established background as an independent career woman contributed to a reluctance to adopt traditional royal protocols. He noted that while official guidance was readily available, the Duchess approached her duties with a self-assured mindset that conflicted with established Palace machinery, creating visible friction early in her public career.
The biographer’s perspective offers a direct contrast to statements made by Markle regarding her introduction to the Royal Family. During her high-profile 2021 television interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess stated that she entered the institution “naively,” knowing very little about the monarchy or the daily operational expectations of a working royal. Markle previously claimed that she received limited institutional preparation, asserting that she was unaware of basic protocols prior to undertaking official public duties.
Arbiter’s remarks arrive amidst renewed media focus on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their recent relocation back to Great Britain. Despite establishing a secondary home in the U.K., the couple is not resuming official duties on behalf of the Crown. An administrative letter distributed by the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of King Charles III recently reconfirmed that the Sussexes operate strictly as non-working royals in a private capacity, with their “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) titles remaining in abeyance.
While commentators continue to debate the circumstances surrounding the couple’s 2020 exit from official royal life, the contrasting accounts highlight lingering disputes over internal Palace dynamics. As the Sussexes balance localized charitable initiatives with independent commercial ventures, navigating historical narratives alongside Palace boundaries remains a key element of their public profile.
Source: Compiled from various sources
