Meghan Markle dubbed ‘dictator in high heels’ who reduced ‘grown men to tears’ in bombshell report
LONDON, ENGLAND: Meghan Markle has once again made headlines after a recent story alleged that the Duchess of Sussex intimidated her staff, with one source labeling her a "dictator in high heels" who reportedly reduced "grown men to tears."
The Hollywood Reporter unveiled the unsettling claim on Friday, September 13, which is likely to cause discomfort for Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, as he celebrates his 40th birthday this weekend.
Disgruntled staff reportedly label Meghan Markle a 'dictator in heels' who 'terrifies' them
Over the years, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have experienced considerable staff turnover. In 2021, Markle's chief personal assistant and private secretary both departed. Additionally, the couple's chief of staff, Josh Kettler, left after just three months, per the New York Post.
However, the host of the 'Archetypes' podcast has faced criticism in the past for her treatment of staff. In 2018, an investigation by Buckingham Palace into Markle's interactions with two royal staff members concluded that her behavior constituted "bullying."
Now, an insider close to the former royal couple told the Hollywood Reporter that the high staff turnover at the Sussexes is due to "everyone's terrified of Meghan."
The source spilled, "She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice. They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently."
"Harry is a very, very charming person — no airs at all — but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible."
Another insider said of Markle, 43, to the publication, "She’s absolutely relentless. She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders. I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears."
The Duke of Sussex's 40th birthday celebration this weekend could be overshadowed by the latest report from The Hollywood Reporter, one of the most reputable magazines in the entertainment industry.
This latest revelation came following the couple's rigid practices that have produced a toxic workplace that has reportedly caused close to 20 staff to leave their famous enterprise.
"The brutal truth is Meghan and Harry are the toughest of taskmasters," an insider revealed to In Touch Weekly.
The source added, "They’re incredibly difficult to work for. The numbers don’t lie. To have almost 20 staffers quitting tells its own story. It's unprecedented, even for a startup!"
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's entourage concerned over 'dictator' claims
Reports reveal that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are "deeply concerned" about a US article portraying Markle as someone who "marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders."
It also alleged that Markle "doesn't take advice" and that some staff members have labeled her "Duchess Difficult."
That said, the Sussexes are reportedly "deeply concerned about the timing" of the story, which emerged just before Harry's 40th birthday celebrations.
"The Sussex team have had more than enough of these types of articles, it's simply not true," a different source told the Daily Express. "Everyone is deeply concerned over the timing of the article because it was published just days before Harry's birthday."
The insider added, "There are fears that there could be a disgruntled former member of staff who is putting out mistruths which are designed to make them look bad."
"The focus for Camp Sussex now is to build on the success of the last year and to take that positive momentum forward into 2025 and beyond."
The accusations followed reports that a significant number of the couple’s employees had departed in recent years, including Kettler, who left in August after just three months as chief of staff.
A reliable source has disclosed that King Charles plans to mark his youngest son’s 40th birthday with a video chat and a tweet from the official Royal Family X page, potentially signaling a thaw in the strained relationship between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.
According to the source, Charles will make a Skype call to Harry in the afternoon UK time, allowing him to greet his son as soon as he wakes up in California, which is eight hours behind.
