Meghan Markle Allegedly Complained About 'Not Getting Paid' For 2018 Royal Tour, Book Claims

Meghan Markle was allegedly overheard by royal staff complaining she was not being paid to attend royal engagements alongside Prince Harry, a new royal book has claimed.

Just a few months after their royal wedding in May 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on a two-week royal tour of Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand, attending 76 engagements over 16 days in October that year.

At the time, Markle won the hearts of the public with her "refreshingly informal approach to royal visits" and was deemed an "inspirational role model," but behind the scenes of the tour was allegedly "a different story," The London Times' royal correspondent Valentine Low claimed in his new book, "Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown."

"Although she enjoyed the attention, Meghan failed to understand the point of all those walkabouts, shaking hands with countless strangers," Low, who has been reporting on the royal family for over 25 years, claimed in his book, according to an excerpt obtained by The Times.

"According to several members of staff, she was heard to say on at least one occasion, 'I can't believe I'm not getting paid for this,'" the author alleged of Markle in his new tome.

The book also quoted an unnamed member of the tour party, who reportedly told Low that Markle wanted to "bring in her people rather than turn to the traditional Buckingham Palace people."

International Business Times could not independently verify the claims.

The claims that Markle allegedly complained about not getting paid for the royal tour received mixed responses on Twitter. Some slammed Prince Harry's wife, while others defended her or refused to believe the unverified claims.

"An 'all expenses paid' life isn't enough," one Twitter user commented, as another added, "Free house, free wedding, personal chefs, drivers, clothes and jewelry, security and travel the world on private jets. Noooo, not enough for Moaning Markle."

"The Queen can be respected by so many people not because of pay but because of dedication. Meghan needs to understand that the royal family is not a gold nugget," a third user wrote.

"For having a lot of work done, I agree," a supporter of Markle wrote. Another opined, "She worked hard for the money."

One person questioned the authenticity of the book's claims, writing: "This is absolutely invented."

During his and Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey last year, Prince Harry claimed that their 2018 tour sparked a change in how his wife was treated, according to Sky News Australia.

"They were, they were really welcoming (of Meghan)," Prince Harry said. "But it really changed after the Australia tour. After our South Pacific tour. That was our first tour. It was also the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories."

The Duke of Sussex was referencing the 1983 tour of Australia where his late mother Princess Diana received a lot more love and attention than her then-husband Prince Charles.

"So are you saying that there were hints of jealousy?" Winfrey asked.

"I just wish that we would all learn from the past," Prince Harry responded, before going on to declare that the royal family has "one of the greatest assets" in Markle.

"Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown" will hit shelves on Oct. 6.