Meghan Markle reportedly told a group of girls she was “one of the most bullied people in the world,” and it has caused several royal experts to scratch their heads.
Larissa May, founder of the nonprofit #HalfTheStory, spoke to Vanity Fair about a personal conversation the Duchess of Sussex had with several teens while visiting the nonprofit Girls Inc. in Santa Barbara, California, on Oct. 2.
“We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” May recalled.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, visits Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on Oct. 2, 2024, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Eric Charbonneau/The Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)
“We had girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each one of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally,” she added.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” claimed to Fox News Digital that the 43-year-old is likely to be labeled a hypocrite after she faced her own bullying accusations following her royal exit in 2020.
“In fairness, since marrying Prince Harry, she has been on the receiving end of some pretty scalding criticism – some of it legitimate, but much of it not,” Andersen claimed.
From left: Larissa May, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Dr. Stephanie J. Hull are seen at Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on Oct. 2, 2024. (Eric Charbonneau/The Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)
“The amount of visceral anger aimed at Meghan online is quite remarkable,” he shared. “If Meghan feels unfairly targeted, she probably has every right to. But is it wise for someone who has been described as a workplace bully – whether it’s true or not – to complain that she is a victim of bullying? It may come off as just more egocentric whining. We’ve heard it all before.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Meghan empathizing with young girls who must deal with online bullying,” he pointed out. “She just has to resist the temptation to make it all about her.”
Andersen also warned that the mother of two continuing to speak out about bullying claims will make it less likely for the royal family to extend an olive branch.
Meghan Markle speaking out about being bullied may draw unwanted attention, several royal experts told Fox News Digital. (Kirsty Wigglesworth – Pool /Getty Images)
“The royal family washed its hands of Meghan some time ago,” he claimed. “If the royals are paying any attention to Meghan at all, this bullying complaint will only shore up the image they already have of her as a self-absorbed narcissist.”
Samantha Cohen, who was a Buckingham Palace staffer for nearly 20 years, previously confirmed she was questioned during an investigation into claims of bullying made against the Duchess of Sussex. Cohen left in 2019, a year before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California.
Buckingham Palace launched the investigation in March 2021 after reports alleged that Meghan had driven out two personal assistants and that staff had been “humiliated” on several occasions during her time living in Kensington Palace.
Meghan Markle is seen here being accompanied by Samantha Cohen in 2018. The former private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II left in 2019. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The claims were published by the Times of London, days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat down with Oprah Winfrey for their televised interview.
Meghan’s lawyers denied the bullying allegations when they were made. At the time, a spokesperson for the duchess said the claims were just the “latest attack on her character.”
During her sit-down with Winfrey, the former actress said she experienced suicidal thoughts after joining the royal family. Meghan said she sought help through the palace’s human resources department but was told there was nothing they could do.
Meghan Markle was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021, a year after she moved back to California. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
In June 2023, Buckingham Palace announced it had investigated how the staff had handled allegations of bullying made against the former “Suits” star.
According to palace officials, the details of the independent review were not being released to protect the confidentiality of those who took part. Following the review, officials said the palace’s human resources policy had been updated, but the palace declined to say what the changes were.
An unnamed source recently spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s staff, labeling Meghan a “dictator in high heels” who has reduced “grown men to tears.”
Meghan Markle became a member of the British royal family when she married Prince Harry in 2018. (Ben STANSALL – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It is understood that Josh Kettler, the couple’s former chief of staff who left the position after three months in August, was hired on a trial basis. The decision to part ways was described as “mutual,” with both sides agreeing it wasn’t the right fit.
Several former and current staff members have since come forward to Us Weekly, defending the couple and their work ethic.
“By continuing to draw attention to the concept of bullying, she is only attracting more attention to her own bullying accusations,” Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di For Daily podcast, told Fox News Digital.
