In a startling revelation, royal commentator and author Tom Bower has claimed that Meghan Markle “hated every second” of her widely publicized 2018 royal tour of Australia, describing the experience as filled with “pointless” engagements. The explosive comments cast new light on what was previously hailed as a triumphant chapter in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal life.

The 16-day tour, which took the couple across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga, was Meghan’s first major international royal tour. At the time, the couple were newlyweds, and Meghan had just announced her pregnancy with their first child, Archie. The trip was met with intense media coverage and enthusiastic crowds, igniting what many dubbed “Megmania.”

Behind the Scenes of the Sussexes’ Breakout Tour

From the outside, the tour appeared to be a major success. Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted with overwhelming affection by thousands of Australians. Their visits to local charities, Indigenous communities, and military families were broadcast around the globe. The couple were praised for their accessibility, warmth, and charisma.

But according to Bower and other insiders, the glossy exterior masked a deeper discontent. In his appearance on GB News, Bower claimed Meghan was “bored” and “felt the tour was a waste of time.” He went on to say that Meghan saw many of the ceremonial and charitable visits as lacking real substance and impact.

“She had to shake hands, smile at strangers, and walk through markets and exhibitions. For Meghan, it felt like a royal circus—one she wanted no part in,” Bower stated. “She couldn’t understand why it mattered.”

A Clash of Cultures and Expectations

The new revelations have reignited debate about Meghan’s experience within the Royal Family and her compatibility with the expectations of royal life. Royal duties often involve performing symbolic roles—opening hospitals, attending public celebrations, supporting patronages—some of which Meghan reportedly saw as antiquated.

Experts suggest that Meghan, who came from a Hollywood background and had already achieved her own form of fame through Suits, was looking for more tangible, issue-driven work. But royal tradition often prioritizes visibility and diplomacy over activism.

“The Royal Family works on continuity and symbolism. Meghan wanted impact and reform,” said royal historian Dr. Helena Forsyth. “That mismatch was always going to be difficult.”

Public Adoration vs. Private Struggle

At the time of the tour, the Duchess was riding high in public opinion. Her fashion choices were praised, her speeches well received, and the public appeared captivated by her modern take on royal engagement. Meghan even gave an emotional speech on women’s empowerment at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, which many saw as a highlight of the tour.

However, it now appears that behind Meghan’s smile lay growing frustration. According to Bower, Meghan felt overwhelmed and emotionally drained by the constant public scrutiny and rigid royal protocols.

Sources also suggest that the demands of performing during early pregnancy may have exacerbated her feelings. “She was expected to put on a flawless face every day, even while carrying a child and facing immense pressure from the Palace and the media,” one insider claimed.

The Turning Point?

Many royal watchers now see the Australia tour as a critical turning point. Though it was officially deemed a success, it marked the beginning of deeper tensions within the Royal Family. It also sparked jealousy and concern within royal circles over Meghan and Harry’s rising popularity, according to several reports.

The cracks that began forming in 2018 would later erupt into the couple’s departure from royal duties in 2020, famously dubbed “Megxit.” In their bombshell 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan and Harry cited a lack of support, racism within the institution, and emotional distress as key reasons for stepping back.

A Royal Reassessment

These new claims are likely to fuel further discussion about the realities of royal life—and whether the system is capable of adapting to modern individuals with their own voices and expectations.

Critics of Meghan may use Bower’s statements to argue that she never truly embraced the role she married into. Supporters, however, see it as further evidence that the Palace failed to support a woman who wanted to do things differently.

Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: the fairytale of the 2018 tour may not have been so magical behind closed doors. What the world saw as a dazzling debut, Meghan reportedly experienced as a stifling chapter—one that ultimately played a role in the unraveling of her royal life.