Much has been written about the differences between Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, but behind the tabloids and conjecture, what do their personality types tell us about their differences? So, Catherine, it tends to be agreed projects as an ISFJ, whilst Meghan projects as an ENFJ. How would those differences manifest in a Royal setting, and does it provide any clues to potential friction? Let’s take a look.
Catherine, as an ISFJ will be a generous soul with incredible duty to the cause, traditional and preferring the known, clear boundaries and guidelines, handholds and a clear understanding of ‘the way things are done around here.’ ISFJs are perfectionists, they like things done ‘properly,’ and that may be the way things have been traditionally done, that would be important to them. They notice every single thing, as they are detailed and specific, and it all gets logged in the shiny metal filing cabinets in their heads, never to be forgotten, good things and slights against them. ISFJs tend not to like the glory or the spotlight on them, they are serious and traditional, they’ll remember your birthday even if your dad doesn’t! An ISFJ won’t like conflict, preferring harmony and everyone getting along. The unknown, lack of clarity or precedent can stress them, they prefer the road well-travelled, the routine, to know what the expectations are. This is probably why Catherine has done so well, she is driven by tradition and protocol, she took the time to fully understand the space, the weight of expectation, being absolutely clear, step by step, looking to HM the Queen for inspiration and then she has inhabited, in fact owned that space and made it familiar. Then she has been able to expand that space, bit by bit, and so her star has been in the ascendancy.
Meghan, as an ENFJ, will be naturally more expressive, positive and exuberant and, like Catherine will be caring and helpful, but will not see boundaries in this and will happily break with traditions and protocols if she thinks it is the right thing to do. ENFJs love connecting the dots, people, situations, bringing it all together and so will be much less likely to ‘stay in their lane,’ like an ISFJ would, and so will be more expansive and ‘stray’ into other areas, often for very good reasons but within an institution rooted in tradition, hierarchy and ‘the correct ways of doing things.’ ENFJs are extensive, they reach across boundaries and ‘lanes,’ for them it is about getting to the output, and if that means taking a shortcut or breaking with tradition if they deem it for the common good then so be it. They are also more impatient to get on and so if an ENFJ wakes with an idea, however helpful or caring, they will want to crack on immediately, and why would they wait for permission, as it’s such a good idea, who could disagree? ENFJs are also very giving, they have huge amounts of energy, and they expend that on other people, wanting to help but at times inadvertently bordering on the controlling and, if they are seen as overbearing or domineering, they can move 180 degrees into ‘victim’ mode, where they feel the world is against them and they can become hurt and emotional as they feel underappreciated and slighted. All that giving, caring and extraverting can take its toll on them, they are intense individuals and love to get involved in other peoples’ problems, but sometimes, just sometimes, it’s all too much.
It's so interesting to look at the comparison of personality type and how it has manifested itself in the real world, in this case a goldfish bowl world of intense scrutiny and harsh judgements. Two young women, very different, have dealt with and coped with that world very differently.