Meghan Markle’s leadership style led some staff members to require therapy or take extended leave after working with her on professional projects, according to reports by Vanity Fair.
In a recent profile marking five years since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties, multiple individuals described their experiences working with the Duchess as emotionally taxing.
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Staff involved in Meghan’s projects, such as her Archetypes podcast for Spotify, reportedly found the work environment so challenging that they sought extended breaks or long-term counselling.
One source likened the experience to being in a high-stress teenage drama, claiming, “It’s talking behind your back. It’s gnawing at your sense of self. Really, like, Mean Girls-teenager.”
A former colleague recounted their initial excitement about joining Meghan’s team, only to later feel disillusioned, realising the negative atmosphere was not uncommon.
Another said the tension stemmed from undermining behaviours, adding, “You can be yelled at even if somebody doesn’t raise their voice. It’s funny that people don’t differentiate between the energy of being yelled at and literally somebody screaming at you.”
The Vanity Fair report alleges that several staff members either left their jobs or required professional help after enduring the demanding environment. One individual who worked on the podcast reportedly took a leave of absence after just three episodes, with others describing the need for extended breaks to escape scrutiny.
One source claimed that working under Meghan led them to reevaluate their own principles: “I left because I couldn’t live with myself anymore.”
These new claims echo earlier allegations from 2018, when Meghan faced a formal bullying complaint during her time as a working royal. That complaint alleged she had driven two personal assistants out of the household. While Buckingham Palace conducted an internal investigation, the findings were never publicly released.
Meghan has consistently denied all bullying allegations.
Sources quoted by Vanity Fair also suggested Meghan’s leadership approach involves harsh scrutiny of team members. One insider remarked: “She’s constantly playing checkers, not chess, but she’s very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”
Another observer said the Duchess’s approach has damaged perceptions of her: “I think if Meghan acknowledged her own shortcomings or personal contributions to situations rather than staying trapped in a victim narrative, her perception might be better.”
While Meghan’s media projects, including her podcast and Netflix collaborations, have drawn significant public interest, insiders suggest the couple has faced challenges navigating the entertainment industry.
