Tensions within the British royal family have long fascinated the public, but a new account from a royal biographer has reignited discussions about Meghan Markle’s behavior during her time as a working royal.

According to allegations from reputable sources, the late Queen Elizabeth II herself once reprimanded Meghan Markle over the way she treated royal staff members—an extraordinary moment that sheds light on the deeper rifts within the royal household.

In her book The New Royals, respected royal author Katie Nicholl details an incident that occurred in the lead-up to Meghan and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding.

Much attention had already been given to Meghan’s alleged falling out with Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, particularly over a disagreement regarding Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.

However, Nicholl’s reporting suggests that Kate wasn’t the only one who experienced friction with Meghan during that stressful period.

“On one occasion in the run-up to the wedding, Meghan went to Windsor Castle for a menu-tasting and ended up having a tense exchange with a member of staff,” Nicholl wrote, citing a palace source.

The incident reportedly escalated after Meghan voiced a complaint during the tasting.

Meghan Markle’s alleged bullying of her staff was a closely-guarded secret, until she tipped the bucket in her now-infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey. Several staffers went to @valentinelow, who revealed their claims to the world. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/lY9INJygfN

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) July 31, 2022

“Meghan was at the castle to taste some of the dishes, and told one of the caterers she could taste egg,” the source recalled. “She got quite upset, saying that the dish was meant to be vegan and macrobiotic.”

Meghan’s reaction reportedly went beyond a simple comment, and her tone allegedly disturbed those present enough for the matter to reach Queen Elizabeth.

The monarch, who reigned for over 70 years and was known for her close, respectful relationship with her staff, was said to be deeply unsettled by Meghan’s conduct.

“Suddenly the Queen walked in and said: ‘Meghan, in this family we don’t speak to people like that,’” the insider claimed.

This rare rebuke reportedly reflected the Queen’s firm belief in treating palace staff with dignity and kindness—a standard she upheld throughout her reign by personally selecting thoughtful Christmas gifts for staff and maintaining lifelong relationships with many of them.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only time Meghan’s behavior allegedly came under the Queen’s scrutiny.

Royal historian Hugo Vickers added another layer to the story, recounting that issues continued even after Meghan and Harry moved into Frogmore Cottage following their wedding.

Wow 😬 this analysis of Meghan Markle from the biographer Hugo Vickers is pretty accurate and spot on

She dumped everything and everyone in her life. That’s a pattern. She will dump Harry when she feels he is of no use ( and she is cringe af!) pic.twitter.com/PauXisLtbO

— Autumn 🍂🐝 (@DemetraAutumn) October 28, 2024

Vickers recounted an incident involving Meghan and an under gardener. Her treatment of him was allegedly so abrasive that the head gardener took his complaints directly to Queen Elizabeth. The Queen, who had a no-nonsense approach to staff welfare, reportedly responded without delay.

“The head gardener went to complain to the Queen and she told her off because she obviously didn’t like people being rude to staff,” Vickers told The Sun.

He added, “None of these other stories surprised me. She probably is not very good with staff or people that she’s employing. It’s just very unattractive. You should always be very polite to people who work for you because otherwise they’re going to get very put out.”

These troubling interactions raise questions about Meghan’s adjustment to royal life and the expectations of behavior within the royal institution.

Meghan and Harry’s eventual decision to step back as senior royals in January 2020 marked a turning point, one that was accompanied by their relocation to Southern California and a series of public interviews and productions critical of the royal family.

While Meghan and Harry have emphasized the emotional and mental health toll of life within “The Firm,” critics argue that their actions—both during their time in the U.K. and afterward—created more division than unity.

Queen Elizabeth, known for her grace and devotion to duty, passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96.

Rip Queen Elizabeth👑1926-2022 pic.twitter.com/Zzefl8EBZW

— Ben (@loveryanmanning) January 5, 2025

As these accounts come to light posthumously, they serve as a testament to her firm but fair leadership and her unwavering defense of the people who served her.

The Queen’s decision to confront Meghan directly underscores just how seriously she regarded the welfare of her staff and the decorum expected of members of her family.

As the dust settles on years of royal drama, it appears many within the palace feel a sense of relief in Meghan and Harry’s absence. Whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ever seek reconciliation or a return to royal life remains to be seen.

But for now, these revelations offer further insight into the complexities—and conflicts—of life behind palace walls.