Within the gaze of royal squalls, Meghan Markle has been slow-roasted under scorching media glare for a long time, depicted in turn as a rebel, victim, or villain based on retelling. From bullying allegations to ongoing privacy wars, the Sussexes have endured orchestrated and editorial struggles and have been embroiled in controversies alike. Their journey from Prince Harry's departure from royal duties to Markle's thriving public profile has seen more scandals than successes, and even fewer specks of support for the actress-turned-princess. 

Meghan Markle's close associate is now bold enough to decry what she perceives as a persistent mistreatment.

A long-time friend of Meghan Markle since 2018, Bryony Gordon recently reflected on what she perceives as a persistent and hurtful disparity within the royal family. In a chidingly honest piece that Gordon shared with the Daily Mail, she correctly called out the "ridiculous double standards" operative in the royal family. Gordon contrasted Meghan's years of vilification, like being labeled as Duchess Difficult for something as benign as an early morning email, with Prince Andrew, who suffered decades of reputational damage despite deeply concerning accusations and associations.

Having been in touch with the couple over the years, Gordon drew attention to the comparative indulgence shown to the prince when Markle was simultaneously vilified. The podcaster who first met the Duchess at a Royal Foundation event in 2018  characterized Markle as "warm" and "down-to-earth," decrying the absence of support, particularly since Prince Andrew seemed mostly protected. She emphasized the uneven judgment Markle is still subjected to as she wondered how "she could be so vilified and trolled, while other members of the royal family seem to have been given a free pass."

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When the crown reflects the flashing headlights, tolerance becomes an afterthought.

Upon their drastic move to the US, as Montecito opened the gates, its luxurious mansion for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Royal Palace shut its doors for the couple. Soon followed an incendiary interview with Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry's memoir Spare, which exposed several weird moments and the royal family's deepest conflicts to the bone. But even before, hints of their souring bonds arrived with several interviews, such as a 2019 ITV interview, where Prince Harry confirmed a rift with his brother, Prince William. Most recently, Markle's reported legal fallout has been causing any hopes of royal reconciliation to wither.

The royal couple has continued to bring attention to the intense online bullying that Markle faced. Royal observers and sociologists have gone further to highlight the wider climate of prejudice confronting her. For example, how Markle was mistreated for things compared to the effusive praise for identical actions by Kate Middleton, which points to a race and gendered double standard. Despite the internal struggles persisting for over five years, there have been several highs and lows, as King Charles III's declaration of love for the couple in his first speech as the new monarch, Prince Harry's visit to his sick father's bedside, and more. Only time can now tell if Meghan Markle's fairy tale turns peaceful once again.

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What is your take on the British Royal family's take on Meghan Markle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.