Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s triumphant 2018 tour of Australia, which coincided with the announcement of the duchess’ pregnancy, was outwardly hailed as a success. However, according to Tom Bower, author of the bestselling book “Revenge,” tensions with royal aides were mounting behind the scenes. As per a Daily Mail report, Bower alleged in his book that the couple’s obsession with their media image led to “miserable” relations at the Sussex headquarters.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were very bothered by the media coverage, claims royal author
Royal author Tom Bower claimed that Meghan Markle brought close friends Jessica and Ben Mulroney to Australia to provide “round-the-clock support,” despite already having four palace staff. With the Mulroneys in tow, she was allegedly “abrasive” toward her female staff and British diplomats. At one point, she “threw a cup of tea into the air” in frustration. The author suggested that Harry “partly fuelled” her frustration as he “trawled social media” for critical comments, with both then demanding that staff take action to remove negative press.
Adding to the strain were fresh stories in the U.S. press about Markle’s father, Thomas Markle. This included the claim that he learned of his daughter’s pregnancy via the radio. Though these stories originated in the U.S., Harry allegedly blamed British journalists.
Simultaneously, Markle was “irate” over royal aides not quashing the reports “Hollywood-style.” Bower said she came to regret “believing them when they said I would be protected.” Central to the rift was communications secretary Jason Knauf. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly blamed him for not suppressing negative stories.
Additionally, according to Valentine Low, author of “Courtiers,” Markle undermined Harry publicly. A notable instance was her appearance at the 2018 British Fashion Awards without informing him or the press pack. Low noted that with the Australia trip, the Sussexes’ professional relationship with Knauf was “over.” Nevertheless, he remained formally employed until March 2019.
Even Markle’s once-close bond with Jessica Mulroney eventually soured. This was due to the stylist’s involvement in a 2020 dispute with blogger Sasha Exeter. Despite public apologies, Mulroney faced professional fallout, and the Sussexes appeared to distance themselves.
While the Invictus Games crowd saw a beaming couple, Bower and Low allegedly painted a portrait of a turbulent period marked by media anxiety, staff clashes, and personal fallouts — tensions that, they claimed, would foreshadow the couple’s eventual departure from royal life.
Originally reported by Mughda Singh on Reality Tea.
