An expert believes two things likely led to the Sussexes stepping down as working royals less than two years after their wedding, as Meghan Markle was unable to get them

Meghan Markle wanted two things during her time in the royal family – and her inability to get them may have contributed to the Sussexes’ decision to step down, according to an expert.

Harry and Meghan shocked royal fans when they announced their decision to quit royal life in January 2020, less than two years after their wedding.

Jennie Bond believes that if the Duchess desired any control over her life, or a coveted spot in the limelight, then it quickly became clear that royal life was not for her.

The former BBC royal correspondent told OK! magazine: “I have always held the view that Meghan failed to understand that she would never be the top dog in the Royal Family… or even the deputy top dog.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be in complete control and charge of your life. There’s nothing wrong with seeking the limelight. It’s just that the Royal Family was the wrong vehicle for her ambitions.”

Harry and Meghan now live in Montecito with their two children, but have emerged as controversial figures following a series of blistering attacks on the British monarchy.

Their exit would have likely been a great personal disappointment to the late Queen, who warmly welcomed Meghan into the family after she met Harry.

Meghan was allowed to join Harry at Sandringham for Christmas 2017, five months before the couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel . This was an unprecedented move by the Queen as, in the past, other women who had married into the Windsors, such as Kate Middleton and Sophie Rhys-Jones, had to wait until after their weddings to be invited for Christmas.

And, according to Richard Eden: “Courtiers say the Queen believed that Meghan – a divorced, mixed-race American actress – would be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the Monarchy.”

But she is said to have become concerned in the build-up to the Sussexes’ nuptials. Writing for the Daily Mail , Eden added: “First, she (the Queen) was said to be surprised that the new arrival rejected her suggestion that Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie, offer her guidance on joining “The Firm”.

“Her Majesty was also taken aback at the divorcee’s choice of a white bridal gown for what was her second wedding – but it was Meghan’s attitude towards her headwear that gave the Queen more serious cause for concern.

“She had offered Meghan access to her collection of tiaras and, during what Harry later described as an ‘extraordinary morning’, allowed her to try them on in front of her, her devoted dresser Angela Kelly and a royal jewellery expert in her private dressing room.

“Something later went badly wrong, however, when Meghan tried to arrange a fitting with Kelly, who, it seems, did not like the manner in which she was being treated by the bride and groom.”

In his tell-all book, Harry denied that he had angrily told Kelly, “What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.” He did, however, admit they had been exasperated by the dresser, who “fixed me with a look that made me shiver”.

Meghan later raised eyebrows in the Sussexes’ Netflix series when she appeared to mock the deep curtsy she had performed in front of the Queen at their first meeting . Mr Eden continued: “How sad that the Queen’s genuine efforts to welcome Meghan during her final years, when she was in failing health, were thrown back in her face.”