Meghan Markle was once viewed by some within royal circles as someone who could develop into a major public figure for the monarchy, with one royal author claiming she had the potential to become a modern-day equivalent of Princess Diana.
Royal author Simon Vigar has reportedly explored Meghan’s early position within the Royal Family in his book The Four Wives of Windsor. According to reports, he suggested that the Duchess of Sussex had “huge Princess Diana potential” when she became a member of the monarchy after marrying Prince Harry in 2018.
The comparison was reportedly based on several qualities Meghan brought with her when she entered royal life. Her confidence, experience in the public eye and involvement in charitable causes were seen as characteristics that could have helped her establish a strong connection with the public.
An insider cited in the report claimed there was genuine optimism during Meghan’s early years as a working royal. According to the source, some people believed she had the charisma and confidence necessary to connect with audiences in a way that reminded them of Diana.
Meghan also arrived at the Royal Family with a different professional background from many senior royals. Before marrying Harry, she had built a career as an actress and had already been involved in humanitarian and charitable initiatives. This led to expectations that she could bring a different approach to royal duties while appealing to a new generation.
The reported source suggested that Meghan could potentially have helped reshape perceptions of what a modern working royal could look like. Her international background and public profile were considered potentially valuable assets for an institution seeking to remain relevant in a changing era.
However, that early optimism reportedly faded as relations between the Sussexes and the royal establishment became increasingly strained.
The insider described the deterioration of the relationship as a major disappointment, suggesting that what might once have been viewed as an important strength for the monarchy eventually became a source of division.
Comparisons between Meghan and Princess Diana were not entirely new. Both women attracted considerable public attention, had strong personal identities and became associated with humanitarian causes. Their ability to generate interest beyond traditional royal audiences also contributed to the comparisons.
Another source cited in the report said Meghan had been compared with Diana almost from the beginning of her royal journey because of her connection with the public and her interest in humanitarian issues.
However, the source added that Meghan’s eventual relationship with the institution changed the nature of those comparisons. Instead of becoming primarily associated with public service and charitable work, the similarities were increasingly overshadowed by the highly publicized disagreements involving Harry, Meghan and the Royal Family.
Princess Diana remains one of the most influential and recognizable figures in modern royal history, making comparisons with her particularly significant. Yet Meghan ultimately followed a very different path after stepping back from royal duties with Prince Harry and beginning a new life in the United States.
Whether Meghan could ever have reached the level of public influence achieved by Diana remains impossible to determine. The claim that she had the potential, however, reflects the high expectations that surrounded her arrival in the Royal Family.
Her early years as a duchess generated considerable interest, and there was widespread curiosity about how she and Harry might influence the future image of the monarchy. The subsequent breakdown in relations changed that trajectory dramatically.
For now, the idea that Meghan possessed “Princess Diana potential” remains a claim made by royal commentators and sources rather than an established fact. Nevertheless, it offers another perspective on just how much promise some observers believed Meghan represented when she first entered royal life.
Key Takeaways
- Royal author Simon Vigar has claimed Meghan Markle had significant potential to become a powerful modern royal figure.
- Meghan was reportedly viewed as possessing qualities that reminded some people of Princess Diana.
- Her confidence, charisma and charitable interests were among the traits that attracted early attention.
- According to the reported claims, tensions between the Sussexes and the royal institution prevented that potential from developing.
- Comparisons between Meghan and Diana have continued because of their public appeal and humanitarian work.
