Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Biggest Royal Scandals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made headlines ever since they began dating in 2016 — not only was the Duchess of Sussex an actress, but she was also previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson before they divorced in 2014.

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Things only intensified for the couple after Harry and Meghan wed on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. As the public scrutiny continued, the two decided in January 2020 that they would “step back as ‘senior’ members” of the British royal family and split their time between the United Kingdom and America.

In Touch takes a look back at all of the royal scandals involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

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Meghan’s Father Thomas Markle Stages Paparazzi Photos

In the weeks leading up to Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, it was unknown whether or not her father, Thomas Markle, would be in attendance. A few days before they tied the knot, Thomas staged photographs for the paparazzi in order to change his “image.” According to the Daily Mail, Harry advised Thomas to avoid the paparazzi. “Harry told me that I should never go to the press,” Thomas claimed. “That it would end in tears. He said, ‘They will eat you alive.’ He was right.” The royals were allegedly upset over the photo ordeal, and Thomas did not attend the royal wedding as he said he was recovering from heart surgery. On May 17, 2018, Meghan issued a statement confirming that Thomas would not be there to walk her down the aisle. “I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health,” she wrote.

Kate and Meghan Fight Over a Flower-Girl Dress for Meghan and Harry’s Wedding

In the lead up to Meghan and Harry’s wedding, multiple tabloid stories reported that the Suits star made Kate Middleton cry over an incident regarding a flower-girl dress for Princess Charlotte. Years later, during Meghan and Harry’s shocking sit-down television interview, Meghan said that the story is completely false — and that “the reverse happened.” Meghan claimed Prince William‘s wife actually made her cry, but she insisted that Kate had apologized following the incident. “A few days before the wedding, she was upset about something,” Meghan revealed. “The issue was correct — about flower-girl dresses… And it made me cry.” Meghan added that it wasn’t “fair to her to get into the details” and that she had “forgiven” Kate but claimed the royal family knew the truth of what happened and did nothing to correct the false narrative being played out in the press.

Meghan and Harry Step Away as Senior Royals

Meghan and Harry shocked the world when they announced in January 2020 that they were taking a step back from their royal duties. “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” they wrote in a joint statement. “It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

Meghan Allegedly Bullies Her Staff

In March 2021, ahead of Harry and Meghan’s televised CBS interview, a report from The Times of London claimed the Duchess of Sussex mistreated staffers before the couple stepped down in January 2020. Meghan’s former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, reportedly filed a bullying grievance against her, claiming Meghan “drove two personal assistants out of the household and was undermining the confidence of a third staffer.” In addition, it was claimed that employees would occasionally be reduced to tears. Meghan and Harry shot back at the accusations, calling them “a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.” They said, “The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”

The Issue of Archie’s Skin Tone

During their big CBS sit-down, Meghan claimed that her and Harry’s son Archie was not going to be given security and that conversations were had regarding the color of his skin. “They didn’t want [Archie] to be a prince,” she alleged at the time. And because he wouldn’t have a title, “he wasn’t going to receive security. This went on through the last few months of our pregnancy.” When asked about the reasoning behind the royals’ decision, Meghan replied, “There is no explanation. There is no version. I heard a lot of it through Harry and other parts of it with conversations with family members, and it was a decision they felt was appropriate.” She then went on to reveal that when she was pregnant, “there were also concerns or conversations about how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born.” The couple did not reveal who made those comments, though, saying, “I think that would be very damaging to them.”

Harry Releases a Bombshell Memoir

In January 2023, Harry released his highly anticipated memoir, Spare, in which he opened up about his experience growing up in William’s shadow. “Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare. This wasn’t merely how the press referred to us — though it was definitely that. This was shorthand often used by Pa and Mummy and Grandpa. And even Granny,” he wrote. “I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced after.” He also alleged in the book that he got into a physical fight with his brother in 2019 after William called Meghan “difficult” and “rude.”

Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Charity Was Found ‘Delinquent’

In May 2024, Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation charity was found “delinquent” by the California Attorney General, and the couple was ordered to stop spending or raising money, according to a letter from A.G. Rob Bonta, obtained by Page Six. The couple was accused of failing to submit its annual report and its registration fee to the registry of charities. In Touch learned that the Archewell Foundation did file the paperwork on time, but a physical check for registration fees was sent but not received. The organization learned of the issue after the delinquency notice was published and mailed a new check. In a statement to People, a spokesperson for the foundation said, “We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing. Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS’s processes and procedures. Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.”