Behind Palace Doors: Waiter’s Chilling Account of Meghan Markle’s Alleged Bullying

The world of royalty was rocked by fresh controversy this week as a former head waiter at a high-profile New York restaurant dropped a bombshell about Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. In a scathing account that has reignited long-standing bullying allegations, the waiter, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, detailed what he claims was a display of entitled and abrasive behavior by the former royal during a visit to his establishment. The revelations, published in Cecchi-Azzolina’s memoir Your Table Is Ready, have sent shockwaves through social media, reigniting debates about Meghan’s conduct behind closed doors and casting a dark shadow over her carefully curated public image. As the allegations spread like wildfire, they’ve added fuel to a narrative that has dogged the Duchess since her time as a working royal – one of “Duchess Difficult,” a nickname that refuses to fade.

The incident in question occurred in early 2019, when Meghan, then dating Prince Harry and basking in the glow of her royal engagement, dined at Cecchi-Azzolina’s upscale Manhattan restaurant. According to the former maître d’, who has served countless celebrities in his decades-long career, Meghan’s entourage made an audacious attempt to secure a private table by leveraging her connection to Prince Harry. “Her handler dropped the ‘I’m dating a prince’ card to skip the line,” Cecchi-Azzolina wrote, describing how Meghan appeared unfazed by the blatant name-dropping. He claims she demanded preferential treatment, brushing off the restaurant’s standard protocols with an air of entitlement that left staff stunned. “She acted like she owned the place,” he added, painting a picture of a Duchess who wielded her status like a weapon.

This account, while seemingly minor in isolation, has taken on monumental significance in light of Meghan’s history of bullying allegations. The waiter’s story aligns with a pattern of claims that first surfaced in 2018, when Jason Knauf, then communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, lodged a formal complaint about Meghan’s behavior toward Kensington Palace staff. Knauf’s email, leaked to The Times in 2021, alleged that Meghan had “bullied two PAs out of the household” and was “seeking to undermine” the confidence of a third employee. The complaint described a workplace environment so toxic that staff felt constantly targeted, with one aide reportedly left “completely destroyed.” Buckingham Palace launched an investigation in 2021, but the findings were never made public, prompting speculation that the results were buried to protect the Sussexes.

Cecchi-Azzolina’s allegations have brought these earlier claims roaring back into the spotlight. Social media platforms like X have erupted with reactions, with hashtags like #MeghanBullying and #DuchessDifficult trending globally. One user posted, “Another day, another story of Meghan throwing her weight around. When will people stop defending her?” Others, however, rushed to her defense, arguing that the accusations are part of a coordinated smear campaign. “She’s been targeted since day one. This is just more tabloid nonsense,” read another post. The polarized response underscores the deep divide in public perception of Meghan – a figure who is either a victim of relentless media scrutiny or a perpetrator of behind-the-scenes tyranny, depending on whom you ask.

The waiter’s memoir doesn’t stop at the table-snagging incident. Cecchi-Azzolina claims Meghan’s demeanor was cold and dismissive toward staff, contrasting sharply with her public persona as a champion of kindness and compassion. He recounts an instance where she allegedly snapped at a server over a minor delay, leaving the employee visibly shaken. “It was like she flipped a switch – one minute charming, the next minute ice-cold,” he wrote. These anecdotes echo reports from former palace aides who described Meghan as warm and encouraging initially, only to turn “cold and withholding” when things didn’t go her way. A former Spotify employee, quoted in a 2025 Vanity Fair article, likened working with Meghan to dealing with a “Mean Girls” teenager, claiming her mood swings made the workplace “awful” and “painful.”

The timing of these new allegations couldn’t be worse for Meghan, who is preparing to launch her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan on March 4, 2025. The show, which promises an intimate look at her life in Montecito, California, is a key part of her and Prince Harry’s rebranding efforts following their $100 million Netflix deal, which was not renewed. The bullying claims threaten to overshadow the launch, with critics already questioning whether Meghan’s polished on-screen persona can withstand the mounting scrutiny. “She’s trying to sell herself as this warm, relatable figure, but these stories keep painting a different picture,” said royal commentator Jack Royston in a recent Newsweek piece. The controversy has also strained her relationship with Hollywood, where whispers of her “difficult” reputation have led to a revolving door of staff at the couple’s Archewell foundation.

Meghan’s defenders argue that the allegations are rooted in cultural misunderstandings and systemic bias. As an American actress thrust into the rigid hierarchy of the British monarchy, Meghan’s direct communication style may have clashed with the deferential norms of palace life. “She was a career-driven woman in a world that expected her to curtsy and stay silent,” one supporter tweeted. Her team has consistently denied bullying claims, labeling them a “calculated smear campaign” orchestrated by a hostile media and royal establishment. In her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan herself spoke of being a victim of bullying, tearfully recounting how she felt unsupported by the palace amid racist tabloid attacks. Prince Harry, in his memoir Spare, dismissed the bullying allegations against his wife as “vicious” lies, insisting she “never spoke a bad word” to anyone.

Yet the persistence of these claims – from palace aides to Spotify staff to now a New York waiter – has made it harder for Meghan to shake the “Duchess Difficult” moniker. Former royal aide Samantha Cohen, who worked with the Sussexes in 2018, recently confirmed she was interviewed for the palace’s bullying probe, describing her experience as “like working with teenagers.” A 2024 Hollywood Reporter article quoted an Archewell insider who called Meghan “relentless,” claiming she “marches around like a dictator in high heels, barking orders.” These accounts paint a picture of a demanding boss whose high expectations often cross into intimidation, though Meghan’s supporters argue that such traits would be praised in a male leader.

The waiter’s allegations have also sparked broader questions about privilege and power. Cecchi-Azzolina’s claim that Meghan used her royal connection to demand special treatment resonates with critics who accuse her of exploiting her title for personal gain. Her recent trademark dispute over her lifestyle brand As Ever – which shares a name with a Chinese clothing company – has further fueled perceptions of carelessness or entitlement. Meanwhile, her defenders point to her charitable work, including her support for women’s rights and mental health initiatives, as evidence of her commitment to positive change.

As the dust settles, the public remains divided. For some, Cecchi-Azzolina’s memoir is a credible addition to a growing list of red flags about Meghan’s behavior. For others, it’s another chapter in a relentless campaign to vilify a woman who dared to challenge the monarchy. What’s undeniable is the impact on Meghan’s reputation, which hangs in the balance as she navigates this latest storm. Will her Netflix series redeem her image, or will the ghost of “Duchess Difficult” continue to haunt her? Only time will tell, but for now, the world is watching – and judging.

The waiter’s exposé has left an indelible mark, reminding us that behind the glamour of royalty lies a complex web of human interactions, power dynamics, and clashing narratives. Whether Meghan is the villain or the victim, one thing is clear: the court of public opinion is as unforgiving as ever.