Meghan Markle saw herself as the Royal Family’s “new Princess Diana” when she first joined the Firm, a new book has alleged.

House of Beckham, journalist Tom Bower’s new book, brings new revelations about the Beckham family into the spotlight – and one of them is allegedly the breakdown of their relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

According to Mr Bower, the Duchess was upset because she was “subservient” to her new sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales.

He alleges that after Harry and Meghan’s first royal tour in Australia, which was deemed successful, the former Suits actress saw herself as the successor to Harry’s late mother but was ultimately unhappy with her position in the royal hierarchy.

The author says Meghan was discontent because “in the royal hierarchy she was subservient to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and the future Queen”.

Meghan Markle was upset over the royal hierarchy, author Tom Bower claims (Image: Getty)

Elsewhere, Meghan is described as “deluded” to think of herself as being of a higher social class than the Beckhams, with Mr Bower claiming she was “irritated” when she discovered they were richer than her.

He writes: “In Meghan’s celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame. As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal Family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order.

“She was irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself.

“They owned five homes, had constant access to private jets, invitations to sail on yachts and much more money. And she was soon to be a duchess.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had a successful royal tour in Australia in 2018 (Image: Getty)

The book also claims Meghan’s friendship with Victoria started withering in 2017 over leaks to the press.

Mr Bower alleges that when Meghan met David Beckham’s wife, they initially became good friends – with the Spice Girl even offering beauty advice to Meghan, who was then the Duke’s fiance.

But according to the book, a report by The Sun about their “growing friendship” was enough to cause the first cracks in their relationship. Meghan was allegedly “furious” over the article amid the UK media’s ongoing probing into her life.