A Challenging Duchess?

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly had to step in when Meghan Markle expressed dissatisfaction with the catering for her vegan wedding menu.

According to royal biographer Katie Nicole, in her book *The New Royals*, Meghan had a tense moment with the kitchen staff while tasting dishes at Windsor Castle in preparation for her wedding. A source mentioned that Meghan was quite particular, even telling one of the caterers that they could taste eggs.

Markle opened up about her dietary habits in the wake of her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018, revealing in 2019 that she wasn’t strictly vegan.

Once the Queen got wind of the situation, she felt compelled to intervene. The source claimed, “Suddenly, the Queen came in and remarked: ‘Meghan, in this family, we don’t talk to staff that way.'” It appears the Queen took diplomacy seriously.

A representative for Markle was contacted for a comment regarding this incident.

In a more recent update, Markle shared that her diet has changed significantly, now including meat. She mentioned this in a post dedicated to Valentine’s Day, reflecting on her husband’s love for burgers and fries. Her playful tone suggested a shift in her previous dietary commitments.

Earlier, during a September 2019 interview with *British Vogue*, Markle had noted that she wasn’t vegan anymore, despite previously attempting to integrate more plant-based foods into her meals.

The complexities of Markle’s relationship with royal life have often put her in the spotlight, particularly compared to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Reportedly, the two experienced a clash over dress choices for Princess Charlotte at Markle’s wedding, which left both women in tears. Markle has discussed this incident in interviews with Oprah Winfrey. However, anonymous royal insiders revealed that the situation was not as one-sided as it seemed. “In the heat of the moment, both said things they regretted,” according to Tom Quinn, who detailed this in his book *Yes, Madam: The Secret Life of a Royal Servant*.

Quinn mentioned that Markle was dubbed the “Duchess of Difficult” by royal staff for a time, adding that her experiences navigating royal life felt particularly challenging for her.