PALACE staff ”bent over backwards” for the Duchess of Sussex, but she squandered it all, an expert has claimed.

When Meghan Markle, 42, first started dating Prince Harry in 2016 , everyone was desperate to make it work, according to Simon Vigar, the royal correspondent for Channel 5 and ITN.

According to expert Simon Vigar, people in the Palace were 'helping', 'bent over backwards' for the Duchess
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According to expert Simon Vigar, people in the Palace were ‘helping’, ‘bent over backwards’ for the DuchessCredit: AP

At the begining, the overall atmosphere was 'supportive' and for the most part, the media coverage was 'positive', he added
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At the begining, the overall atmosphere was ‘supportive’ and for the most part, the media coverage was ‘positive’, he addedCredit: AFP
Vigar, one of the longest-serving correspondents on British TV, told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that during her journey, ”people within the Palaces were helping” and they ”bent over backwards” for the duchess.

”The idea that people never wanted it to work – I find it completely bizarre.”

At the beginning, the overall atmosphere was ”supportive”, as everyone within and around the family wanted to see Prince Harry ”happy”.

”We knew that he was seriously worried that he would never find someone after the previous relationships which had ended,” added Simon, who’s been in the industry for 16 years working for Channel 5.

According to the expert, the issue wasn’t finding a girlfriend who ”didn’t like Harry” – it was finding a partner ”who would put up” with everything that came with dating a Prince.

”I think people were delighted.”

The media coverage, too, Simon said was ”very positive”, with the odd ”weird” headline here and there – which is a stark contrast to what the Royal duo have since made it out to be, he pointed out.

”Covering events, her first walkabouts in the winter of 2018 before the wedding – you could see that the demographic had changed.

”That the people who had turned out to see Harry and Meghan – there was a clear transformation […], which was great.

”It was reflecting modern Britain.”

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All of that, however, has since been brutally ”squandered”, with Meghan and Harry stepping down as senior members of the Royal Family in 2020.

”It’s a great shame.”

Why did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry step down as senior royals?

In a statement made on the Sussexes’ Instagram account, the couple wrote: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.

“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.

“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.

“We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.

”Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”