In her teary interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle told the world that the allegedly racist media she faced was worse than anything ever experienced by another member of the royal family. But is it? Kate Middleton, now The Duchess of Cambridge, was famously called Waity Katy and Duchess Dolittle before and after becoming a royal. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was famously referred to as the Duchess of Pork after gaining weight.

So, why is Meghan’s experience so much more horrific than any other female member of a royal family?

Well, it just seems like she can’t any criticism or negative comment leveled at her, which is what’s required for anyone seeking fame and fortune.

At the end of the day, despite chasing fame her entire adult life, Meghan Markle just can’t handle actually being a celebrity, let alone royalty.

By the very nature of their existence, royals will always be criticized. They take money from the taxpayer to fund what many consider an overly extravagant lifestyle. We may love the dresses and tiaras, but few really want to pick up the tab.

However, royals play an important role in a country’s soft diplomacy. They are essentially cultural ambassadors, who are able to travel the world on someone else’s dime, with the responsibility of highlighting the work of their country and another’s as well. 

It’s an immense privilege, and there is a price.

When a royal wears a $100,000 maternity dress, as Meghan did on a single engagement in Morocco, she will be criticized for it. When she fails to wear a hat while on an engagement with the Queen, which she was expected to do, and her hair is blown everywhere and looks at times incredibly sloppy, she will be called out for it.

Meghan, you represent not only the Queen and yourself, but an entire country and people. It’s an incredibly unique opportunity.

In fact, acknowledge that there was a handful of actually racist talking points in the media, your royal experience was a relative cakewalk.

After her breakup with Prince William in 2007, there is a video of Kate Middleton being swarmed by paparazzi near her flat in the city. There must be at least 50 photographers scrambling over themselves to get her picture, after calling her Waity Kaite for years for waiting for Prince William to propose.

Meghan Markle dismissed Catherine’s experience as just simply “rude,” and not the same as what she experienced. 

Despite the immense pressure and interest, Catherine said nothing to awaiting photographers. In fact, the first time the public really heard Kate’s voice was during her engagement interview. Throughout her relationship, she remained quiet and dignified when it came to the press, no matter how much they harassed her.

Even after her marriage, she was compared to a plastic Barbie doll and called Duchess Dolittle and criticized for not doing much. 

Since then, she’s made fantastic strides and there is hardly a negative comment in the press about her, but it took time to build that trust and not complaining was key. But Meghan dismisses it 

Sarah Ferguson lived for years with the moniker, the Duchess of Pork after she gained weight after having children. It was an unfortunate nickname, and one that was absolutely hurtful. 

Another deeply distressing headline: “One of the worst headlines said 82% [of the population] would rather sleep with a goat than Fergie. It’s never left me.”

The press, especially the British press, can be utterly brutal to those that are in its crosshairs. It’s gotten a lot better really, but only if you put your head down, do the work and try not to spend like a Middle Eastern princess at the same time. 

Meghan didn’t really do any of that. She demanded respect, adoration and attention, without doing the work necessary in order to achieve it.

Royal ladies are under immense pressure across the globe, but Meghan thinks she can reject or dismiss any criticism or just commentary leveled her way by claiming that the attack is simply racist or misogynistic. 

Meghan could have been a successful royal, and racism is not to blame for her failure. It’s behavior, entitlement and a simple disregard of the rules that led to her downfall.