When Meghan Markle entered the royal family, she quickly discovered that becoming a senior working royal came with a level of pressure few outsiders could understand. Along with official duties, strict traditions, and constant public attention, Meghan faced intense media criticism that appeared to affect her deeply.

During that difficult period, Meghan reportedly turned to Queen Camilla for guidance. But according to Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, the advice Camilla offered did not have the comforting effect she may have intended. Instead, Harry suggested that Meghan felt the comparison being made was unfair and failed to acknowledge the differences between their experiences.

In his memoir, Harry recalled that Meghan reached out to Camilla while facing heavy criticism from the press. Camilla reportedly tried to reassure her by explaining that negative coverage was something many newcomers to the royal family experienced and that the attention would eventually fade.

Harry wrote that Camilla reminded Meghan she had once been portrayed as “the bad guy” herself. The intention appeared to be that Meghan should understand that public hostility was not permanent and that other members of the royal family had survived similar treatment.

However, Harry suggested that Meghan did not receive the message in that way. He questioned the comparison, implying that Meghan felt her situation was being placed alongside Camilla’s past struggles even though the circumstances were very different.

The moment highlighted a larger challenge Meghan faced after joining the monarchy: adapting to a world where criticism was often considered part of royal life.

Before Meghan became part of the family, Camilla herself had experienced years of intense public scrutiny. Her relationship with King Charles, especially after the breakdown of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, made her one of the most criticized figures in Britain for a long period.

Over time, however, Camilla managed to rebuild her public image and eventually became Queen. Her advice to Meghan may have come from personal experience — a belief that surviving negative headlines required patience and resilience.

But Harry appeared to see Meghan’s struggles differently. In his account, the issue was not simply about unfavorable headlines. He believed Meghan was facing a different kind of pressure, particularly because of her background as an American actress entering an institution with centuries of tradition.

The disagreement also reflected broader tensions between Meghan and other members of the royal family during her early years.

Harry recalled another uncomfortable moment involving Meghan and Princess Kate, this time over something as simple as a tube of lip gloss.

According to Harry’s account in Spare, Meghan had forgotten her lip gloss and asked Kate if she could borrow hers. Harry described it as a normal gesture from Meghan’s perspective, something common in American social interactions.

However, he claimed Kate appeared surprised and uncomfortable before reluctantly handing over the lip gloss. Meghan then applied some using her finger, which Harry said created an awkward moment between the two women.

Harry viewed the incident as a small cultural difference that could have easily been forgotten. But he believed the media quickly noticed tension between them and turned a minor interaction into a much bigger story.

This example became symbolic of the difficulties Meghan faced while trying to adapt to royal expectations. Small misunderstandings, according to Harry, were often amplified because every interaction involving the Duchess of Sussex was closely watched.

The relationship between Meghan and Camilla has also attracted attention because their public interactions have appeared more positive at times. When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, Camilla publicly welcomed the news and expressed happiness about the couple.

She praised the engagement, saying it was wonderful news and describing their happiness as something positive during a difficult time filled with negative headlines.

However, Harry’s description in Spare revealed that behind the public smiles, there were complicated conversations happening privately.

The advice Camilla gave Meghan represented two very different perspectives on royal life. Camilla appeared to believe that surviving criticism required accepting it as part of the role and waiting for public opinion to change.

Meghan, according to Harry’s interpretation, may have wanted recognition that her experience was unique and that the challenges she faced went beyond ordinary royal criticism.

Ultimately, the exchange reveals a deeper divide in how different generations of royals approach the media. For older members of the institution, negative press may be viewed as an unavoidable part of royal duty. For Meghan and Harry, the same criticism became evidence of a system they believed needed to change.

The moment also shows why Meghan’s transition into royal life was so complicated. She was not only learning a new role but also navigating expectations from the public, the press, and members of the family itself.

Queen Camilla’s advice may have been intended as a message of reassurance from someone who had survived similar struggles. But according to Harry’s account, Meghan heard something very different — a reminder that she was now facing a battle that others before her had already fought.