It’s no secret that Meghan Markle was unaware of many parts of life as a British royal. The fact that she had to curtsy for the late Queen Elizabeth II was openly discussed in her and Prince Harry‘s Harry & Meghan Netflix series a few years ago, but that was only the beginning.
According to royal insiders and experts, the former Suits actress, 44, expected royal life to mimic a Disney fairytale. And unsurprisingly, she was extremely taken aback when she was met with a world rooted in duty, hierarchy, and centuries of tradition.
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Meghan Markle Realized Royal Life Wasn't 'Sparkly And Fun' Like She Imagined
"Meghan obviously met her prince, and I imagine she did feel that being a princess would be something sparkly and fun, but Meghan is very much somebody who likes to center stage," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital about the mom-of-two's expectations of royal life.
"She just wants to do things that she wants to do. And life as a working royal isn't all sparkly," Chard added, noting that senior royals are expected to live a life of service, not self-interest.
Chard also suggested that the Spare author probably warned Meghan about "the trials and tribulations of being a princess," but that she still expected a "fantasy" version of the role. "It's just she realizes it wasn't something that she wanted. And then they jumped ship and ran off into the bright lights."
Meghan Markle Was Unaware Of The Royal Family's 'Rules And Protocols'
King Charles' former butler Grant Harrold echoed this in an interview with the New York Post, referencing a time when she allegedly wanted to host some friends for lunch on a day when she was scheduled for royal duties.
"She would rather have lunch with her friends, thinking that was fine and it wasn't," Harrold told the pub, while also pointing out that senior royals' schedules are usually set six months in advance, making it impossible not to know about upcoming engagements.
The Royal Butler author added: "I think the problem with Meghan is that she went into the organization and she assumed that after watching all the Disney princesses, that she thought it was going to be like that. When you join the royal family, you are given rules and protocols to follow."
Meghan Markle Reportedly Wanted The 'Glory And Fame' Without The 'Dedication To Duty'
This was echoed even further by British royal expert Hilary Fordwich, who confirmed that Meghan was was captivated by the glamour but not the responsibility – something fellow senior royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton have fully embraced.
Fordwich told Fox News Digital Meghan was mesmerized by the "glamour, glitz, publicity and glory" of royal life, without realizing "the monarchy is more about dedication to duty and serving."
She added: "She wanted all of the glory and fame, but none of the daily drudgery of dedication to duty royalty involved."
