Meghan Markle wanted to 'finish what Diana started' but on 'part-time' basis, claims book

Meghan Markle allegedly wanted to "finish" what her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, had started during her time within the Royal Family but on her own terms, a new royal book has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex spent two years working as a senior member of the Royal Family before she and husband, Prince Harry, stepped down and moved to the US in 2020.

Now, a new book by Tom Quinn, Yes Ma'am - set to be released later this month - brought fresh claims from insiders into the spotlight about Megha's time as a working royal.

The book, segments of which have been serialised in the Mirror, said members of royal staff were aware of Meghan's vision as a royal but claimed that she wanted to do her job on a "part-time" basis.

One insider said in the book: "Meghan once said, 'What Diana started I want to finish,' and we took that to mean she wanted to become a sort of globetrotting champion of the poor and the marginalised."

They added: "She has managed to do this to some extent, but she really wanted to do it as a princess and with the full backing of the Royal Family but on a part-time basis.

It was previously known Harry and Meghan wanted to work part-time when they quit the Firm, but the late Queen Elizabeth was said to be adamant about a "half in, half out" arrangement.

The Sussexes released a statement on January 8 2020 announcing their plans to quit the Firm, saying: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

"We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

This led to an organised meeting a few days later - January 13 - in Sandringham, now called the Sandringham Summit, between the late Queen, King Charles, Price William and Prince Harry, which resulted in the duke being told he could not carry on with his "half-in, half-out approach".

Following the meeting, Queen Elizabeth released a statement, which read: "Today, my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.

"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."