Meghan Markle’s Reaction to Becoming a Duchess Revealed in New Book — and No Surprises Here
A former Palace staffer recalls the moment Markle learned she would become the Duchess of Sussex.
A new royal biography has detailed Meghan Markle’s first reported reaction to the prospect of becoming a duchess. The account, shared by a former staff member, spilled her behind-the-scenes excitement. The anecdote appears in William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, the first joint biography of the Prince and Princess of Wales in a decade. Written by The Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers, the book, beyond examining Prince William and Kate Middleton’s partnership, also talks about the internal rhythms of royal life, including the contrasting temperaments and working cultures within the wider family.
Myers recounts how Markle’s enthusiasm was ‘palpable’ and left a strong impression on those present. According to the book, “By contrast, one former staff member recalled how when Meghan was told she would be in line for a royal title, her excitement was palpable.” As per The Mirror, another excerpt reads, “She started saying, ‘I’m going to be a duchess, can you believe it? I am going to be a duchess!’ She was almost leaping out of her seat.”
Markle formally became the Duchess of Sussex upon her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018, when Queen Elizabeth II conferred the title on their wedding day. At that time, the moment was widely celebrated as the beginning of a modern chapter for the monarchy.
Yet titles have since become part of a recurring public debate. After stepping back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020, Harry and Markle retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex designations but agreed not to use their HRH styles in official or commercial contexts. The discussion resurfaced last year when Markle drew criticism after she had used 'HRH The Duchess of Sussex' on a private gift note to a friend. A representative for the couple clarified that the message was personal and not used in a professional capacity.
Additionally, last year, a Harper’s Bazaar profile also noted that Markle was formally introduced as 'the Duchess of Sussex' on two separate occasions. The first took place at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, where she arrived by golf cart to meet students from a local STEM academy. The second occurred at a New York City brownstone, where a house manager announced 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,' despite the cover story observing that Markle and the journalist were the only other two people in the house.
However, etiquette expert Myka Meier dismissed the idea that anything improper had occurred. The short answer is no, says Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette and an authority on social, dining, and business protocol. “She’s choosing the more formal route, which is a matter of personal preference,” Meier says of Markle, adding, “This is her choice, which is the point — that it is her choice. And so, for whatever reason, this is how she feels the most comfortable being introduced.” Meier further emphasized that holding a title naturally allows for its use.
