Meghan Markle’s Past 9-Word Comment Is Being Revisited Amid Questions Over Her Royal Life

A nine-word remark Meghan Markle made years before joining the Royal Family has resurfaced, with some viewing it as an early indication that the traditional expectations of royal life may not have suited her.

The Duchess of Sussex had previously been open about her ambitions and her desire to pursue meaningful work. Long before marrying Prince Harry, she described the kind of life she wanted — and, notably, it was not one centered on the social world associated with Britain’s upper classes.

‘I’ve never wanted to be a lady who lunches’

During her time running the lifestyle website The Tig, Meghan wrote: “I’ve never wanted to be a lady who lunches.”

She immediately contrasted that idea with the career-driven identity she preferred, adding: “I’ve always wanted to be a woman who works.”

Meghan also wrote about her humanitarian interests, explaining that this kind of work was what “feeds my soul, and fuels my purpose.”

The comments were made before she entered royal life, but they have since attracted renewed attention because of the very different expectations that came with becoming a senior member of the Royal Family.

A royal role built around work — but also tradition

Meghan officially joined the Royal Family in 2018, when she married Prince Harry after the couple had first met two years earlier.

As a senior working royal, Meghan would have been expected to undertake public engagements, charitable work and official duties. But the role also involved the ceremonial traditions, formal occasions, lunches and banquets that accompany life within the monarchy.

That contrast has led some observers to look back at Meghan’s old comments and question whether the institution’s traditional way of life was ever likely to be a natural fit for her.

Her statement about wanting to be a woman who works, however, also reflects an aspect of royal life she did embrace: public service and charitable work.

Meghan later described the decision to step back

Meghan and Harry eventually stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to California with their children.

According to Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Meghan became emotional when discussing her decision with a friend in March 2020.

The book described her as feeling that she had made significant sacrifices for the Royal Family. It quoted her saying: “I gave up my entire life for this family. I was willing to do whatever it takes. But here we are. It’s very sad.”

The account also noted that some courtiers and members of the family blamed Meghan for the situation, while she felt she had sacrificed considerably for the institution.

Life after royal duties

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now live in California with their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

Since leaving royal duties, the couple have pursued projects outside the monarchy, including their work with Netflix.

Following the release of their documentary about Polo, Meghan was also preparing for the launch of her own cooking show under the couple’s multi-million-pound Netflix deal.

At the time of the original report, the show’s title and exact release date had not been announced, although it was expected to arrive in early 2025.

Looking back, Meghan’s nine-word comment offers an interesting glimpse into the ambitions she expressed long before royal life — and raises the question of whether those ambitions were ever entirely compatible with the traditions and expectations of the monarchy.