Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing renewed scrutiny after allegations surfaced regarding their treatment of staff, including demands to be addressed as "sir" and "ma'am" and claims of bullying behavior. The latest controversy, detailed in Vanity Fair, has reignited debates about the couple's leadership style and their post-royal public image.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties five years ago, reportedly instructed staff involved in projects like Meghan's Archetypes podcast and Harry's book tour to refer to them using formal titles. According to Vanity Fair, some team members were "instructed to address the couple as sir or ma'am."

One source suggested the couple's insistence on titles might stem from the rarity of blood nobility in the U.S. "In the US, success, money, fame, all of that stuff exists out here. But a blood title, it's few and far between ," the source said.

This revelation comes as the couple faces broader allegations of mistreatment of staff. Vanity Fair contributing editor Anna Peele described instances of staff being undermined, frozen out, or left feeling deeply distressed. "One source said Meghan's treatment of staff was 'really, really, really awful' because those being frozen out could be 'thrown to the wolves' at any given moment," Peele wrote.

The article further detailed how some staff who worked on projects with the Sussexes reportedly required long-term therapy or took extended breaks to recover from the alleged work environment. Peele noted that accusations of bullying did not necessarily involve raised voices but were instead described as subtle undermining tactics.

The Sussexes have previously dismissed similar allegations as smear campaigns. In 2018, The Times reported claims of palace staff being left in tears due to Meghan's behavior, which the couple labeled as part of a broader effort to discredit them.

The current allegations, however, present a unique challenge for Meghan and Harry. Unlike past accusations tied to their time in the U.K., these involve their U.S. operations and come from sources outside of British tabloids, including respected American media outlets. Vanity Fair's coverage follows a similar report by The Hollywood Reporter, which likened Meghan to a "dictator in high heels."

While Meghan and Harry have yet to issue a formal response to Vanity Fair's allegations, sources close to the couple suggest the claims have deeply distressed them. "Things aren't easy for them right now. Vanity Fair have succeeded in making a bad time worse," a source told The Daily Beast.

The controversy extends beyond alleged workplace dynamics. Meghan's inner circle has also drawn scrutiny, with Vanity Fair reporting that her friends, described as part of an "American aristocracy," look down on those they perceive as overly public or "too thirsty."

Observers note that the Sussexes' previous strategy of dismissing such claims as fabrications may no longer be effective. The allegations have moved beyond palace corridors into their American ventures, raising questions about their management style and complicating their narrative of victimhood.

In his memoir Spare, Harry defended Meghan against claims she mistreated staff, portraying her as calm and kind in the face of criticism. "Despite what certain people were saying about her, I never heard her speak a bad word about anybody, or to anybody," Harry wrote.

However, Vanity Fair's report suggests a need for a more nuanced approach. Experts say the couple could benefit from addressing the concerns directly. "Even if she cannot bring herself to issue a full apology or mea culpa, she could look for an opportunity...to reference the fact some people have found her a tough boss but to say she is actively trying to be better," the article suggests.