London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Apr 20, 2026

Palace staff nicknamed Prince Harry 'the hostage', insiders claim

Palace staff nicknamed Prince Harry 'the hostage', insiders claim

Prince Harry was nicknamed ‘the hostage’ by Buckingham Palace staff in the run-up to their wedding, it has been reported.

A wave of claims about Meghan’s behaviour have emerged in recent days, which representatives of the Sussexes argue are part of an attempt to discredit her ahead of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Some involve alleged incidents dating as far back as the planning stages of their 2018 wedding, with insiders suggesting Megan was ‘constantly looking for reasons to say she had been deprived’ despite having all her demands met.

Many of the incidents have been widely reported in the years since, but Harry is now said to have attracted pity from staff at the time.

According to the Daily Telegraph, insiders revealed he was referred to as Meghan’s ‘hostage’.

One claimed: ‘They insisted that they had the same inflation-adjusted budget for the wedding as William and Kate – she got the choir she wanted, the dress, the carriage procession, the tiara – she got everything she wanted but it still wasn’t enough.

A former royal aide is said to have confirmed allegations that Harry furiously dressed down a senior member of the Queen’s entourage who resisted some of Meghan’s demands during planning for their 2018 wedding.

The incident, dubbed ‘Tiaragate’, was sparked when the monarch’s personal dresser Angela Kelly temporarily resisted handing over Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara at short notice for an unscheduled hair appointment.

The couple say the claims are part of a smear campaign


This allegedly prompted Harry to shout: ‘What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.’

Buckingham Palace has vowed to investigate claims that the Duchess of Sussex left humiliated staff ‘in tears’ during her brief time as a working royal.

Representatives of the Sussexes have previously claimed the pair are victims of a deliberate smear campaign based on misleading information.

A spokesperson for the pair said they have ‘nothing further to say on these ridiculous allegations’.

The couple are due to appear in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey


The Oprah interview will air in the US at 1am UK time on Monday morning, before being shown by ITV at 9pm that evening.

Teasers released so far show the 67-year-old American TV host suggesting Meghan’s time in the UK was ‘almost unsurvivable’, as she faced tensions within the palace and a war with the British press.

The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William have all reportedly agreed to ‘reserve judgement’ until they have seen the interview in full.

Buckingham Palace has not officially commented on the interview’s content and said it will decide whether to issue a statement after it airs.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
×