Meghan Markle hits back at claims of ‘diva demands’ to come back to UK

The road to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is already proving to be paved with controversy. As Prince Harry prepares to bring his celebrated veteran sports competition back to British soil, speculation is mounting over whether Meghan Markle will join him. However, the potential homecoming has been overshadowed by a flurry of reports alleging that the Duchess has issued a series of “diva-like” demands—claims that her camp is now vehemently shutting down. Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 to establish a new life in Montecito, California, their relationship with the UK has been defined by distance and legal battles. While Prince Harry has remained a constant figurehead for Invictus, his return to his home country has frequently been mired in the ongoing debate over his family’s safety and status.

Allegations of a ‘Fortress’ in Birmingham

The current firestorm was ignited by reports suggesting that Meghan’s attendance is contingent upon a set of rigorous and highly specific protocols. Journalist Rob Shuter, writing on his Substack, cited sources alleging that the Duchess has requested “exclusive access” to multiple floors of the Hyatt hotel in Birmingham, coupled with an ironclad security detail.

According to these insiders, the alleged requirements extend beyond physical safety to personal conduct. One source claimed that hotel staff would be “prohibited from making eye contact” with the Duchess, asserting that she intends to remain in “total control” of her environment. Furthermore, rumors have circulated that Meghan expects to be addressed strictly by her formal titles, “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex,” throughout the duration of the trip.

The reported entourage for this visit is said to be equally substantial, including a private chef, stylist, makeup artists, and a full public relations team. Logistically, the claims suggest a demand for constant access to high-end vehicles and a police escort directly from the tarmac—a point of particular sensitivity given the couple’s high-profile loss of their legal appeal regarding state-funded UK security last year.

‘She’s Asking for a Fortress’

The most striking allegations involve the security measures at the Invictus Games venues themselves. Insiders cited by Shuter describe a request for “heightened security” that transcends standard protection.

“This isn’t just protection. She’s asking for a fortress,” a source reportedly stated, citing requests for bulletproof glass at the events and a visible armed presence wherever the Duchess travels.

These claims paint a picture of a visit governed by a level of security usually reserved for heads of state—a jarring contrast to the couple’s current non-working royal status.

The Sussexes Fire Back: ‘A Complete Fabrication’

The Duchess of Sussex has wasted little time in addressing these characterizations. Responding to the mounting narrative of “diva demands,” a source close to the couple spoke to the Express to issue a categorical denial.

The representative dismissed the reports as entirely baseless, stating, “This is a complete fabrication. Nothing about it is true. No demands like this have ever been made.”

The rebuttal suggests that the Sussexes view these leaks as a targeted attempt to sour the public’s perception of them ahead of a significant UK milestone. As the Invictus Games draw closer, the tension between the couple’s desire for privacy and security and the public’s expectation of royal transparency remains at an all-time high.

While the Games are intended to celebrate the resilience of wounded veterans, the conversation for now remains firmly fixed on the complicated logistics of a Sussex return to the British Isles.