Royal butler links Meghan’s exit to ‘controlled’ schedules
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has claimed a key strain in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family was the strict scheduling that came with royal life, suggesting it contributed to the couple stepping back from official duties in 2020 and moving to the United States.
Express reported that Mr Harrold said Meghan felt “very much controlled” by the royal household’s diary system, describing engagements as planned around six months in advance and “very strict”, with little room for changes such as inviting friends to lunch.
Mr Harrold, who described early reaction to Meghan as “a breath of fresh air”, said the “turning point could have been anything” but pointed to how the institution operates and the limits it places on personal freedom. The comments revisit longstanding scrutiny of how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex adapted to royal protocol during their short period as working royals.
The remarks come amid continuing debate about the couple’s portrayal of their experience, following previous claims made in their public interviews, including the 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey in which Meghan alleged her passport and other personal items were taken from her while she was in the Royal Family. Britpop News has previously reported on the Duke’s view of the couple’s place in the institution, including his reported belief that Meghan could still have a role within the Royal Family.
While the Sussexes have maintained they faced restrictions, the discussion remains contentious, with reports also noting the couple carried out multiple trips during the period spanning their courtship and early marriage. The latest comments from Mr Harrold underscore how the practical realities of royal timetables continue to feature in accounts of the breakdown between the Sussexes and the wider royal household.
