Royal Rule Made Meghan Markle Feel “Fake”, She Says

Meghan Markle has spoken about a royal rule she was required to follow while living as a member of the British Royal Family,

saying it made her feel she was “no longer herself”.

According to People, the Duchess of Sussex appeared on The Circuit, which aired on August 26, where she discussed aspects of her personal life. When host Emily Chang asked whether it was stressful trying to appear relatable while still being a duchess,

Meghan replied that she did not feel that pressure now and described herself as simply being who she is. She added that things had been different several years earlier, when she felt less able to speak freely.

The former American actress appeared to be contrasting her current life with the period before she and Prince Harry stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 and relocated to the United States.

During the interview, the former Suits star cited dress regulations as an example of the constraints she experienced. She said she was required to wear nude-coloured tights at all times, something she felt did not reflect her personal style. Meghan remarked that she had not worn such tights since the 1980s and described them as feeling “fake”.

She went on to explain that while the example might seem trivial, it illustrated a broader issue. Meghan said that being able to dress as she wished, speak openly and present herself naturally allowed her to feel comfortable and authentic. She noted that this period was simply one chapter of her life, adding that she no longer feels the need to prove anything.

Meghan also addressed the negative media coverage she has faced, saying she chooses to move through the world as herself regardless of the attention it generates. She suggested that the public reaction might be less intense if people remembered that she is “a real human being”.

Her comments quickly sparked debate, particularly in the UK. Some critics argued that she was mocking her former life in Britain, while others accused her of deliberately courting controversy. Several British viewers expressed anger at her remarks, describing them as ungrateful or attention-seeking.

Under an article published by the Daily Mail, readers left a number of critical comments. Some questioned why Meghan continues to use her duchess title if she wishes to live freely, while others dismissed her complaints as unnecessary. Several commenters argued that wearing tights was simply part of maintaining a professional and respectful appearance and not a sign of inauthenticity.

Meghan Markle Previously Adjusted Her Image to “Fit In”

Meghan Markle has previously spoken about changing her appearance in order to fit in with the Royal Family. In the 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex said she deliberately avoided wearing bright colours during her time in the UK.

She explained that she understood royal protocol to mean that she should not wear the same colour as Queen Elizabeth II at joint events, nor match the outfits of more senior members of the family. Her comments appeared to refer to senior royals including Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla.

As a result, Meghan said she chose neutral shades such as camel, beige and white so that she could blend in rather than stand out. She stressed that she made a conscious effort to adapt and did not want to embarrass the Royal Family.