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The Duchess of Sussex has hit out at attempts to brand women as “difficult” in a bid to “keep them in their place” and limit female voices in society. Meghan Markle argued that women in “positions of power” were often described in a way that forced them into the model of a “villain”. Her discussion comes after reports emerged suggesting Meghan was branded “Duchess Difficult” during her time in the Royal Family due to the demands she made to Palace staff.
Speaking on the latest episode of her Archetypes podcast, the Duchess of Sussex declared: “Calling someone the ‘B-word’, labelling them as ‘difficult’, it’s often a way to insult and dismiss someone.”
She recalled a recent conversation with a “good girlfriend” in which the topic of labels arose.
Meghan continued: “She said something that I had never heard before. She said: ‘Well, isn’t that a convenient villain? An assertive woman in a position of power being called the B-word. How very convenient.’
“That’s what happens when we label someone – a woman especially. One of these words, it becomes a way to take their power away, keep them in their place.”
Meghan Markle has discussed the labels attached to women (Image: GETTY)
Meghan discussed how women are often described as ‘difficult’ in her latest podcast episode (Image: Spotify )
The Duchess of Sussex suggested the label of ‘difficult’ was often attached to women who hold positions of power.
She reported: “A lot of times it’s tied to the very women who have power and agency – as my friend was suggesting – who aren’t comfortable being silent, like businesswomen and entrepreneurs.”
Meghan described the way in which the “difficult” label can be used to disguise some of the most “awesome qualities” of a woman.
She suggested women with a “strong opinion” were often branded with deceitful labels to disguise their “resilience”.
Read more: Meghan struggled with ‘hard’ UK citizenship test which stumped Harry
Meghan detailed how women in position of power are often subject to intense judgement (Image: GETTY)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied allegations concerning Meghan’s behaviour to Palace staff (Image: GETTY)
The “Duchess Difficult” label was first coined in 2018, shortly after Meghan Markle’s royal wedding to Prince Harry.
Following the marriage, rumours swirled that the Duchess of Sussex was excessively demanding of Palace staff and pushed several courtiers to their limits.
Unnamed members of the royal staff have been quoted as saying they struggled to cope with “Meghan’s level of directness”.
Several royal aides reportedly departed as a result of Meghan’s taxing behaviour, although this has been heavily disputed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
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Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 (Image: GETTY)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and have since relocated to California where they live with their two young children, Archie and Lilibet.
Since their departure from the royal fold, the couple have repeatedly spoken out against the institution of the Royal Family and even criticised a number of royal figures by name.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess denied that she was aware of being described as “Hurricane Meghan” for her behaviour towards royal aides.
In the same conversation, Meghan went on to claim the Palace failed to protect her from false accusations within the media that concerned her behaviour in the royal household.
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