Just like her no-nonsense late father, Prince Philip, the Princess Royal doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
WATCH BELOW: Princess Anne visits the Royal Sydney Easter Show in 2022
And it appears that’s exactly the initial impression Prince Harry’s bride made the first time she met Princess Anne.
Perhaps aware of Anne’s reputation as one of the hardest-working royals within the monarchy, Meghan Markle reportedly sought a meeting with her husband’s aunt on how to best fit into her new role.
She could have had no better tutor. However, the meeting is believed to have left Anne unconvinced that the former Suits actress was cut out for a life in The Firm.
Anne has openly spoken about her concerns that this younger generation has a clouded view of what being royal actually entails.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Anne cautioned “don’t forget the basics. I don’t think this younger generation probably understands what I was doing in the past and it’s often true, isn’t it?
“Nowadays they’re much more looking for ‘oh, let’s do it a new way’.
“And I’m already at the stage [of] ‘please do not reinvent that particular wheel. We’ve been there, done that. Some of these things don’t work. You may need to go back to basics.’” she said.
According to royal expert Neil Sean, after hearing Anne wax on about the rigours, duty and hard work that would be required of her, Meghan “left the meeting dumbfounded”.
“Striking a balance between public and private life is never easy, but Anne is the Windsor who has found the secret to having it all,” a royal source reveals to New Idea.
“Anne tried to make it clear that royal life isn’t like Hollywood. Represent the Queen, do it well, then go home and live a normal life.
“No-one is bigger than the Crown.”
Anne, who undertook a staggering 387 official royal engagements last year, also advised the newcomer that it was all about “getting involved and being immersed” in her patronages and charities.
“She reiterated that it wasn’t a working monarchy, it was a job. You turn up on time, you do your research, and do the duty,” says Neil.
According to him, Meghan’s reaction left Princess Anne, 72, in no doubt the Duchess of Sussex would never cut the mustard as a representative of Her Majesty.
“Anne always knew Meghan would have a very short shelf life in the monarchy,” he explains.
Adds another source: “Hard-working, no-fuss Anne was the exact opposite of everything the Hollywood celebrity was chasing.
“It’s no wonder they never saw eye to eye. And, of course, given that Harry and Meghan ran off to California the second the going got tough, Anne was right – as usual!”
WATCH BELOW: Princess Anne helps the Queen on a Zoom call
