King Charles reportedly bestowed a rather unique moniker upon Meghan Markle during her tenure as a senior royal. A new book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story by Russell Myers, claims the monarch affectionately referred to the Duchess of Sussex as ‘Tungsten’ before her departure from the Royal Family in 2020. This nickname, according to the book, was a nod to the metal’s reputation for exceptional toughness and its unyielding nature under immense pressure, reflecting Meghan’s own perceived fortitude.
The book suggests that King Charles held a favourable view of Meghan in the early days following her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. Myers writes that Charles was “very fond of her and in the early days found her charming to be around.” He further elaborates that Meghan was perceived as “engaging, polite and was clearly in love with his son, so there were certainly no apparent issues he felt the need to address.”
Adjusting to Royal Life: A Difficult Transition
Despite the initial positive impressions, the book posits that Meghan encountered significant challenges in adapting to the stringent protocols and expectations of royal life. This struggle, it is suggested, ultimately contributed to her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from their senior royal duties and relocate to Montecito, California.
Efforts were apparently made by other members of the Royal Family to help Meghan integrate. The book highlights attempts by her sister-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex (wife of Prince Edward), to guide Meghan into the royal fold. However, these overtures were reportedly met with a lack of reciprocal engagement. “their repeated attempts were not responded to,” the book states.
Perceived Inevitability of Departure
Intriguingly, the biography also sheds light on Catherine, Princess of Wales’s perspective regarding the Sussexes’ eventual decision to leave. According to Myers, Catherine was less invested than her husband, Prince William, in attempting to dissuade Harry from his course. “Catherine had less interest than her husband [Prince William] in trying to persuade Harry to stay in his current role,” the author claims.
Following the wedding of Harry and Meghan, the dynamic within the family reportedly shifted. Myers suggests that William and Catherine harboured a suspicion that the Sussexes had a pre-determined “agenda.” This belief, the book contends, stemmed from the couple’s behaviour, which the future King and Queen felt was indicative of something “more than being difficult.”
A Strained Relationship and Fundamental Differences
The relationship between Catherine and Meghan is described as having become “toxic” by the book. Myers attributes this deterioration to Meghan’s perceived assertiveness, stating that “Meghan was being bullish, and Kate found her abrasive.”
The Princess of Wales, it is suggested, foresaw a separation between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, though perhaps not to the full extent that eventually materialised. Myers explains that Catherine believed the inherent differences between William, as the “heir,” and Harry, as the “spare,” created an almost unavoidable scenario where Harry would desire a more prominent role than a “bit-part player.”
The book also touches upon Catherine’s role as a mediator between the brothers. It is revealed that the Princess of Wales consistently endeavoured to foster peace between Harry and William, who was reportedly “intensely saddened” by his brother’s decision to leave. The author notes that while William and Harry had been growing apart for years, the departure marked a point of no return. “He and Harry had been drifting apart for years, but now he knew deep down that there would be no turning back,” Myers wrote. The narrative underscores the deep emotional impact of the rift on Prince William.
