A forthcoming book uncovers amusing anecdotes and insights from former royal staff, including Prince Harry’s nickname and Meghan Markle’s early frustrations.
In an upcoming book titled Yes, Ma’am – The Secret Life of Royal Servants, author Tom Quinn reveals that Prince Harry was given an unflattering nickname by royal staff that likens him to a character from the BBC comedy Blackadder. This information comes from a former insider who shared their experiences working for the Duke of Sussex. The book is set for release later this month.
The insider discussed an incident in which they confused some papers in Prince Harry’s private residence, recalling, “He was immediately angry and it was out of proportion to the problem, or at least I thought it was.” This sentiment appears to be shared among other staff members, who reportedly experienced similar temperamental reactions from the prince. The source added to the humour at the expense of Prince Harry by stating, “We thought it was a bit rich complaining about me being muddled given Harry was probably the most muddled of all the royals of his generation.” The staff reportedly joked that Harry resembled the Prince Regent from Blackadder, who was famously depicted as needing an excessive amount of time to carry out even simple tasks.
The book also touches upon the living arrangements of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle during their early years in the royal family. Meghan is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with their residence, Nottingham Cottage, interpreting its size as a reflection of how the royal family viewed her husband. A staff member remarked on Meghan’s perspective, asserting that, “‘Meghan felt it was so small it must be a reflection on how the Royal Family were belittling her husband.”
After moving to Nottingham Cottage in 2018, the couple later relocated to Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle. However, Meghan reportedly remained unhappy and made a request to live within the Castle, which was deemed “inappropriate” by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who suggested they remain at Frogmore.
Further insights into royal staff experiences are shared in Quinn’s book, revealing instances involving other members of the royal family. One such account details an incident with Prince Edward, who allegedly reprimanded a chauffeur for looking too frequently in the rear-view mirror while driving. The former staff source conveyed that internally, such outbursts were unexpected even from members of the royal family.
Additionally, the book covers allegations surrounding Prince Andrew, who is said to have made unreasonable demands of staff, including terminating the employment of a staff member over a mole on their face. Observations from past employees indicate that Andrew’s behaviour often mirrored that of a “classic school bully,” where he exhibited both loyalty and support towards likable staff while being imperious and temperamental when things did not meet his expectations.
In summary, Yes, Ma’am aims to shed light on the inner workings and dynamics of working for the royal family, highlighting both quirky experiences and the complexities faced by royal servants. The book is scheduled for publication on 18 February.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/yes-ma-am – This URL supports the claim about Tom Quinn’s book *Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants*, which explores the lives of royal servants and their experiences with the royal family.
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a63686751/prince-william-king-charles-tantrums/ – This article corroborates the idea that royal family members can have demanding and temperamental personalities, similar to the experiences described in Quinn’s book.
- https://www.imusic.co/books/9781785908460/tom-quinn-2025-yes-ma-am-the-secret-life-of-royal-servants-hardcover-book – This URL provides additional details about Tom Quinn’s book, including its publication date and content, which aligns with the information presented in the article.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article, providing context for the claims made about *Yes, Ma’am* and the experiences of royal staff.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00nq0t6 – This URL relates to the BBC comedy *Blackadder*, which is referenced in the article as a comparison for Prince Harry’s nickname given by royal staff.
- https://www.royal.uk/windsor-castle – This URL provides information about Windsor Castle, where Frogmore Cottage is located, and is relevant to the living arrangements of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle discussed in the article.
- https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/prince-harry-handed-unflattering-nickname-30990149 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is about an upcoming book, indicating recent content. However, it references past events and does not include any outdated information that would suggest it is recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes appear to be original and from a former insider, but there is no online evidence to confirm their earliest known reference. This could indicate they are new or not previously published.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Birmingham Mail, a known publication, but the information is based on a book by Tom Quinn and a former insider, which may not be as reliable without further corroboration.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about royal staff experiences and nicknames are plausible given the context of royal family dynamics, but some details cannot be verified without additional sources.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and based on an upcoming book, but its reliability depends on the credibility of the insider’s account. While plausible, some claims cannot be verified without further evidence.
