Meghan Markle has come under scrutiny from royal insiders for speaking publicly about her relationship with Prince Harry before the couple officially announced their engagement.
Breaking Tradition Before the Announcement
In a Vanity Fair interview titled “She’s just wild about Harry!”, Meghan openly discussed her romance with the prince, saying: “We’re in love. This [time] is for us. It’s part of what makes it so special, that it’s just ours. But we’re happy. Personally, I love a great love story.”
Despite the warm tone of the interview, some within royal circles were taken aback. A palace insider described the article as feeling “like a punch to the solar plexus.”
Protocol Concerns from Palace Officials
Traditionally, royal fiancées like Kate Middleton and Lady Diana Spencer only gave interviews after their engagements were formally announced. These appearances were carefully orchestrated by Palace staff under tight guidelines.
In Meghan and Harry’s case, the interview was published two months before the couple confirmed their engagement, breaking from this established protocol.
According to sources close to Harry and Meghan, Kensington Palace had signed off on the magazine feature. However, palace insiders reportedly only gave a hesitant green light to the general idea of the article—without knowing the full details of what Meghan would say.
One insider explained, “While people were happy that Harry had found a serious girlfriend, the article raised red flags. It led some to fear that Miss Markle might be using the relationship to boost her public image.”
Mixed Reactions Behind the Scenes
The differing narratives reflect the tensions behind the scenes at the time. While supporters of the couple argue the Palace was aware and approved the feature, others within the royal household felt blindsided by Meghan’s candid remarks.
“We don’t expect close acquaintances or partners of royal family members to grant such interviews before official announcements,” one royal source emphasized.
The episode added to the growing unease within the monarchy as Harry’s relationship with Meghan became increasingly public—and increasingly unconventional by royal standards.