A close friend of Meghan Markle has spoken out, describing life within the royal family as a “peculiar prison” and accusing the institution of doing little to support the Duchess of Sussex during her struggles. The comments come as Bryony Gordon, a well-known supporter of Meghan, criticized the double standards the duchess faced compared to other royals.
In an interview with DailyMail, Bryony explained that Meghan’s treatment in the royal family was marked by “ridiculous double standards,” claiming that Meghan and Prince Andrew were subjected to completely different standards of behavior.
The friend said, “Can you blame the couple for wanting to escape the peculiar prison of royal life, especially given the ridiculous double standards applied to the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew?” Bryony also expressed growing frustration over the lack of support Meghan received, comparing it to the treatment of Prince Andrew amid his own scandals.
With each sordid allegation, I have become more and more furious that so little was done to help Meghan as she struggled with life in the royal family, while so much was done to protect Prince Andrew,” she said. The comparison between Meghan and Prince Andrew’s treatment was a central theme of Bryony’s comments.
She wrote, “Somehow, Andrew got away with it for decades, while Meghan was branded ‘Duchess Difficult’ the moment she so much as asked the Queen if she might be able to borrow a tiara for her wedding.”
Bryony also expressed her disbelief at the public’s tolerance for Prince Andrew’s alleged behavior compared to the scrutiny Meghan faced. “Why is it that people will tolerate all manner of misbehavior from the likes of powerful men like Prince Andrew, but not a woman who, according to critics, has a habit of occasionally emailing her staff at 5 a.m.?” she asked.
As Meghan and Prince Harry continue their life outside the royal family, Bryony’s comments reflect the ongoing criticism of how the couple was treated within the royal fold. The alleged double standards remain a point of contention, as Meghan’s struggles in the family continue to be a subject of public discussion.