Over the years, Meghan and Harry have openly discussed how the Royal Family could have provided more support during her time as a working royal. Meghan has shared instances of loneliness, comparing her experience to the isolation many felt during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She recalled moments when Harry was away for work, leaving her feeling “very little I was allowed to do,” which fostered feelings of loneliness.
In their Netflix series, Meghan recalled being surprised at how the royal family’s formality extended behind closed doors, recounting a meeting with William and Kate when she greeted them barefoot and in ripped jeans, only to find the atmosphere unexpectedly formal.

Further insight into Meghan’s struggles was provided in Prince Harry’s memoir *Spare*, where he suggested that Kate Middleton was uneasy about Meghan’s arrival, fearing potential competition between them. Meghan also spoke candidly in her Oprah interview about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy with Archie in 2019 and seeking help, only to be told that the Royal Family could not support her as she was not a paid employee.
The couple also shared allegations of multiple conversations within the family about Archie’s future lack of a title and security, alongside discussions about his skin tone. Meghan declined to name those involved, saying doing so would be “damaging.”
Elsewhere, Meghan described her early interactions with the Royal Family as challenging. Oprah asked Meghan about her time with Kate Middleton, including their shared appearances at Wimbledon. While Meghan initially expressed feeling welcomed, she later reflected: “My experience of the past four years is that it’s nothing like what it looks like.”

In his book *Our King: Charles III*, royal biographer Robert Jobson claimed Meghan dismissed Queen Elizabeth II’s suggestion to seek guidance from Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, about royal life, reportedly saying, “I’ve got Harry.”
Royal expert Andrew Morton also claimed the late Queen had offered Meghan the opportunity to continue her acting career if she didn’t want to fully embrace royal duties. According to Morton, Meghan and Harry were given flexibility to choose their roles, including the possibility of serving as youth ambassadors for the Commonwealth. Despite these options, there were clear signs early on that adapting to royal life would be challenging for the couple.
Morton reflected: “The Queen gave them a chance to go wherever they wanted. They were given opportunities but chose their path.”