Meghan Markle’s experience as a member of the British royal family continues to attract comparisons with other prominent women who married or joined the institution, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla and Diana, Princess of Wales.
The comparisons have largely focused on how each woman adapted to the unique expectations surrounding royal life and the British media.
Royal correspondent Simon Vigar recently discussed Meghan’s experience during an interview with Fox News Digital, offering his perspective on why her transition into the royal institution may have been particularly difficult.
According to Vigar, one of the biggest differences was the way the British royal system operates compared with the entertainment industry and media environment Meghan had previously experienced in the United States.
He explained that the communications operation supporting senior members of the royal family is relatively small despite the enormous amount of worldwide attention directed toward the monarchy. Royal press teams have to respond to events quickly while also trying to manage the way members of the family are presented publicly.
Vigar suggested that Prince Harry already understood this system because he had grown up inside it. Meghan, by contrast, came into the royal family from a very different professional and cultural background.
The commentator described this as a significant difference in expectations. Meghan had previously worked in the entertainment industry, where publicity, media relations and public appearances can operate according to very different rules.
The comparison becomes particularly interesting when looking at Catherine, Camilla and Diana.
Each woman had a different background and entered royal life under very different circumstances. Catherine gradually became accustomed to royal responsibilities after years of public attention surrounding her relationship with Prince William. Camilla had spent decades in the public spotlight before becoming Queen, while Diana entered the royal family as a young woman and quickly became one of the most famous people in the world.
Diana’s aristocratic background also meant that she was familiar with aspects of Britain's traditional upper-class society before marrying then-Prince Charles.
That does not mean their experiences were easy. Diana famously struggled with the intense pressure surrounding royal life and the media, while Camilla and Catherine have also faced extensive public scrutiny throughout their years in the royal spotlight.
Vigar’s argument, therefore, centres less on whether one woman had an easier experience and more on the cultural differences that may have shaped their approaches to royal duties.
He reportedly described Meghan’s situation as a potential “culture clash,” pointing to the contrast between her American background and the highly traditional British institution she married into.
For Meghan, joining the royal family meant entering an organisation with centuries of established traditions, protocols and expectations. At the same time, she brought her own professional experiences and ideas about public life, media relations and independence.
That combination created an unusual situation.
Prince Harry, having been raised within the monarchy, already knew how much attention the royal family received and how closely their public activities were managed. Meghan had to learn those expectations after entering the institution as an adult.
The issue of media relations became particularly important during Harry and Meghan’s time as working royals. Their approach to the press and their relationship with royal communications teams became increasingly complicated before they stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020.
Since then, the couple have built a new life in the United States while continuing to speak publicly about their experiences.
However, it is important to remember that comparisons between Meghan and other royal women are based on individual circumstances. Catherine, Camilla and Diana each entered the institution during different periods, faced different pressures and had different relationships with the monarchy and the British public.
Meghan’s experience was also shaped by the fact that she was already a well-known international figure before marrying Harry.
Ultimately, whether the difficulties were primarily cultural, institutional or personal remains a matter of interpretation. Vigar’s comments offer one perspective on why Meghan and the royal establishment may have struggled to understand each other.
The story also highlights the unusual challenge faced by anyone joining the British monarchy. Royal life is not simply a high-profile version of celebrity life; it comes with a complex network of traditions, public expectations and institutional responsibilities.
For Harry, understanding that system from childhood may have given him an advantage when navigating the pressures surrounding royal life. For Meghan, adapting to those traditions while bringing her own identity and professional background may have required a very different adjustment.
The reported comments should be viewed as the opinion of a royal correspondent rather than an established explanation for every difficulty Harry and Meghan experienced during their time as working royals.
Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle has been compared with Catherine, Queen Camilla and Diana, Princess of Wales over their experiences within the royal institution.
- Royal correspondent Simon Vigar believes cultural differences may have contributed to Meghan’s difficulties adapting to royal life.
- Prince Harry grew up understanding the monarchy and its relationship with the British press.
- Catherine, Camilla and Diana each had different backgrounds and experiences before becoming senior members of the royal family.
- The comparison reflects one commentator’s perspective and does not establish a definitive reason for the Sussexes’ departure from royal duties.
