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Meghan Markle’s Complaints About Unpaid Walkabouts Revealed During Royal Tour
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with not being paid for walkabouts during a royal visit to Australia in 2018.
Four years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on their first royal tour, spending 16 days traveling around Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.
Throughout the tour, they attracted massive crowds and participated in an impressive 76 engagements.
In his book “Courtiers, the Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” Valentin Lowe, a royal correspondent for The Times, reveals Meghan's perspective on royal walkabouts.
Despite enjoying the attention she received during the tour, Meghan allegedly struggled to understand the purpose behind these public interactions.
According to Lowe, the Duchess of Sussex adopted a refreshingly informal approach to royal visits, which resonated with the Australian public, who saw her as an inspirational role model.
Lowe's book recounts a few instances that exemplify Meghan's unique approach.
For instance, when visiting a farming family, she brought homemade banana bread as a gesture of goodwill.
Additionally, during a school visit aimed at improving educational outcomes for young aboriginals, Meghan was hailed as an inspirational figure.
However, behind the scenes, the book suggests a different story.
According to the book, Meghan failed to grasp the significance of walkabouts and the act of shaking hands with countless strangers.
An unnamed staff member is quoted, claiming that Meghan was overheard saying, “I can't believe I'm not getting paid for this.”
Furthermore, the book highlights Meghan's desire to involve her own team rather than relying on traditional palace personnel, which proved to be challenging.
Reports also indicate that Meghan was perplexed by the enthusiasm of royal fans.
Upon seeing crowds waiting outside the Sydney Opera House, she allegedly questioned her team, asking, “What are they all doing here?
It's silly.”
In response, her team explained that the fans were there to show admiration and support for the monarchy and the institution she represented.
The revelation of Meghan's complaints has sparked controversy and debate.
Meghan Callie, a critic, sarcastically questioned Meghan's notion of being unpaid, highlighting the privileges she enjoys as a member of the royal family.
Dan Wooten, another commentator, referred to Valentin Lowe's book, which details allegations of Meghan's bullying behavior towards her staff.
Furthermore, Meghan has been accused of refusing to engage with junior staff during her time as a senior royal.
Relations between Meghan and the team at Kensington Palace reportedly deteriorated, with a senior aide raising concerns directly with the couple after their engagements in 2017.
When approached by the aide, Meghan allegedly responded, “It's not my job to coddle people.”
As a result of the bullying allegations made against Meghan, policies regarding staff working for the royal family have changed, according to a senior palace source.
These revelations shed light on Meghan Markle's experiences and interactions during her royal tour, revealing a complex and sometimes contentious dynamic behind the scenes.