Diva Alert? Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Neighbors Given Strict Rules
Jul. 27 2019, Updated 10:29 p.m. ET
Have Meghan Markle's alleged diva ways resulted in a new set of rules?
The Duchess and husband Prince Harry's neighbors have reportedly been warned by royal flunkies not to talk to the couple or ask to see baby Archie, The Sun has reported.
The astonishing “do and don’t commandments” were issued at a residents’ meeting for people living near the couple's new Frogmore Cottage home on the Windsor estate.
One local told the British publication, "It would be funny if it wasn’t so over the top."
Meghan and Harry, parents to baby Archie, apparently aren't to be bothered. Neighbors were given a series of dictates, including: Don't approach or instigate conversation if you see the royal couple; do say "Good Morning" or some other pleasantry if they speak to you; don't pet or stroke their dogs, even if they come over to you; don't offer to walk their dogs; don't ask to see baby Archie or offer to babysit; and don't post anything through the letterbox of Frogmore Cottage.
Although the rules are sure to stir more talk about Meghan's diva reputation, Buckingham Palace has insisted the request had come from an "overly protective palace official" — without her and Harry’s knowledge.
But a local complained, "It’s extraordinary. We’ve never heard anything like it. Everyone who lives on the estate works for the royals and knows how to behave respectfully."
The source added, “We aren’t told how to behave around the Queen like this. She’s very happy for people to greet her.”
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said that palace officials might be guessing what Meghan and Harry want amid their tendency to seek privacy.
But Seward added, “It’s odd because it’s just good manners to engage your neighbor in conversation in a pleasant way. It’s a very normal British thing to say ‘Good Morning’ and pat a dog.
She said, “The Queen always chats to neighbors and even has tea with people on the estate as she’s very friendly with them. The ‘not petting the dog’ is particularly strange."
After marrying Harry in May 2018, Meghan got the reputation of being a diva, with staffers quitting on her. Her personal assistant Melissa Touabti gave notice just six months into the job. Amy Pickerill, who was appointed as Meghan’s assistant private secretary, bailed as well.
Samantha Cohen also stepped down as the Duchess’s private secretary after 17 years with the royal family.
Meghan and Harry have feuded with William and Kate, according to reports. Kate's style is said to be very different than her sister-in-law.
Meghan's elaborate, star-studded baby shower in NYC was slammed for reportedly costing six figures in U.S. dollars, looking unseemly.
Haters blasted Meghan for taking a private jet to the Big Apple for the glam event at the Mark Hotel in a $150,000 suite on February 19, 2019.
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer has written, "It is clear that Meghan is regarded as difficult and demanding by some in the family and on the staff.”
Meghan and Harry also raised eyebrows by keeping details of son Archie’s birth and christening private.
Now they are coming off as distinctly uneighborly!