Duchess Mistook Queen’s Son for an ‘Assistant’ at Royal Lodge, Leaving Harry Amused and Puzzled
Prince Harry has shared a light-hearted yet telling moment from Meghan Markle’s early days in the royal family, recalling a misstep that occurred during an introduction at Royal Lodge—the residence of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
As revealed in The Battle For Royal Lodge: Andrew vs Charles, the incident took place during Meghan’s first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. Before the introduction, Meghan received a rushed lesson on royal protocol from Fergie, including how to perform a proper curtsy.
The visit appeared to go smoothly, but as the Queen departed—accompanied by Prince Andrew, who was carrying her handbag—Meghan made a surprising remark. In his memoir Spare, Harry recounted how Meghan turned to him and asked about the Queen’s “assistant.”
Momentarily confused, Harry realised she had mistaken Prince Andrew, the Queen’s son, for a member of staff. Though amused, the moment highlighted Meghan’s unfamiliarity with royal hierarchy and protocol in those early days.
The anecdote, while lighthearted, sheds further light on the cultural and institutional adjustments Meghan faced as she entered one of the world’s most traditional royal families.
