Meghan Markle’s Independent Spirit Could Have Transformed the Monarchy, But Clashes Led to Her Downfall
Diego Cuevas/Getty Images
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, had the potential to positively impact the Royal Family’s public image if given a fair opportunity, according to royal expert Jennie Bond. Markle, who stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 alongside Prince Harry, was seen as a refreshing presence within the institution when she first joined.
In an interview with Bella, Bond reflected on what Meghan could have brought to the Royal Family. “Meghan could have been such a credit to the royal family – she is an independent, forthright woman with her own career, her own thoughts, her own charities and causes,” Bond explained. She praised Meghan’s strengths, highlighting her experience and passion for various charitable causes, which could have aligned well with a modern monarchy.
Bond went on to suggest that Meghan’s unique qualities and outlook might have been exactly what the monarchy needed to stay relevant and connected with a diverse global audience. “She could have been exactly what a modern monarchy needs,” Bond added, emphasizing the potential Meghan had to bring new perspectives and fresh energy into the institution.
However, Bond also noted that the Royal Family might not have handled Meghan’s integration as carefully as they should have. “I think the monarchy didn’t act as carefully as they should have done,” she remarked, implying that a more thoughtful approach could have better supported Meghan’s transition into royal life.
Despite the initial promise, Bond acknowledged that Meghan’s strong personality and independent mindset may have contributed to the friction within the royal household. “But Meghan is by all accounts a bit of a diva,” Bond observed. “She didn’t like what she saw, and she didn’t like her wings being clipped.”
This assessment points to the cultural and institutional challenges Meghan faced when joining the Royal Family. While she brought with her a history of advocacy, public speaking, and charity work, her desire for autonomy and resistance to the more traditional aspects of royal duties may have clashed with the expectations placed upon her.
Meghan’s decision to step back from royal life, along with Prince Harry, has sparked widespread debate about the future of the monarchy and how it handles change. Many, like Bond, believe that Meghan could have played a pivotal role in modernizing the institution had the circumstances been different.
As the Sussexes continue to build their lives outside the Royal Family, questions remain about what might have been if Meghan’s strengths had been fully embraced. Bond’s insights suggest that, despite the controversies, Meghan’s potential to be a transformative figure in the monarchy still lingers as a topic of reflection.
