Meghan Markle’s Complaints About Unpaid Walkabouts During Australia Royal Tour

During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first royal tour to Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand in 2018, Meghan Markle reportedly complained about not being paid for walkabouts.

The couple spent 16 days traveling around the countries and attending 76 engagements, attracting huge crowds of fans.

While Meghan enjoyed the attention she received, a book written by the Times royal correspondent Valentin Lowe claims that she did not understand the point of royal walkabouts.

According to Lowe's book, Courtiers, The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, Meghan showed a refreshingly informal approach to royal visits that was well-received by the Australian public.

She was even seen as an inspirational role model during the tour.

For example, when she visited a farming family's home, she brought some banana bread that she had baked herself.

When the couple went to a school to see the work of a program to improve young aboriginals' educational outcomes, Meghan was praised as an inspirational role model.

However, behind the scenes of the tour, Meghan's attitude was different.

Although she enjoyed the attention, she failed to understand the point of all those walkabouts and shaking hands with countless strangers.

The book quotes an unnamed member of staff who overheard Meghan saying, “I can't believe I'm not getting paid for this.”

Moreover, a member of the tour party revealed that Meghan wanted to bring in her people instead of relying on the traditional booking of palace people, but it wasn't easy.

This desire caused tension between her and the palace staff, according to the book.

In addition to her complaints about unpaid walkabouts, Meghan was accused of refusing to engage with junior staff during her time as a senior royal at the firm.

A senior aide reportedly raised concerns with the couple directly following their engagements in 2017, saying that Meghan's treatment of some staff members was difficult.

When approached by the unknown aide, Meghan replied, “It's not my job to coddle people.”

These allegations of bullying led to changes in staff working for the royal family, according to a senior palace source.

Policies have been put in place to prevent such behavior from happening again.

The book by Lowe also shed light on Meghan's desire to bring in her people instead of relying on traditional palace staff.

However, this request caused tension between her and the palace staff.

While Meghan was seen as an inspirational role model during the tour, her complaints about unpaid walkabouts and her attitude towards junior staff members have come under scrutiny.

The book's revelations have caused controversy, with some people defending Meghan while others criticize her behavior.

In conclusion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first royal tour was a success, attracting huge crowds and receiving praise from the Australian public.

However, behind the scenes, tensions were brewing, and Meghan's complaints about unpaid walkabouts and her attitude towards junior staff members have come to light.

These allegations of bullying have led to policy changes within the royal family to prevent such behavior from happening again.