It’s been just over six months since
Meghan Markle joined the British royal family. The moment the American
said “I do” to Prince Harry, her contract began with “The Firm,” as it’s
affectionately known in the UK.
And the 37-year-old former “Suits” actress has been flying the American
flag high as she stamps her unique personality on the institution of the
monarchy.
She has blown off dated traditions with her multicultural wedding,
liberal leanings, rebellious fashion sense — she wore an above-the-knee
skirt to the theater in August, something sister-in-law Kate Middleton
would never do. Meghan was even at the center of a June kerfuffle when
Irish politician Catherine Noone tweeted that the Duchess had told her
she was pleased about the country’s recent referendum result on
legalized abortion. (It’s seen as verboten for royals to be political.)
Of course, much of it is just the former starlet acting like a normal
person — and highlighting just how ridiculous and old-fashioned royal
protocol can be. In September, the duchess made headlines and was hailed
as a feminist simply because she shut her own car door after stepping
out at London’sRoyal Academy of Arts. Such a menial task is usually
reserved for a flunky.
But the winds are changing in the stuffy old House of Windsor thanks to
the mixed-race Californian beauty. Take a look at the easy, breezy
portraits that marked Prince Charles’ 70th birthday, complete with lots
of laughter and Charles cuddling his grandkids (something we never saw
him doing with his own boys). Meghan is letting everyone know that it’s
OK to loosen up a bit.
Even the way Prince Harry and Meghan interact in public — the constant
touching and adoring glances — seems to have influenced the other
royals. Take Prince William and Kate, who have always behaved in a very
stiff, formal way that feels more out of the Victorian era than the
Instagram age.
In a rare exhibition of tenderness at the wedding of William’s cousin
Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank in October, the parents-of-three
were seen holding hands. At one point, Kate placed her palm on William’s
thigh, a move that’s miles away from her usual habit of keeping a few
modest inches between her and her spouse.
English journalist Phil Dampier told The Post the Duchess of Sussex is
really shaking things up. The go-getter, who has a previous marriage
behind her, didn’t grow up in awe of the royals in the way that the more
deferential Kate was raised.
“Meghan has hit the ground running,” said the author of “Royally Suited:
Harry and Meghan in Their Own Words.” He went on to explain that her
American openness and experience as an actress has helped smooth her
path.
“Princess Diana and Kate Middleton were very nervous when they first
started out in the royal family, but Meghan is an already accomplished
public speaker,” said Dampier. “She’s also helping Harry with his
speeches . . . he is increasingly doing them without [the need for]
notes.
“Meghan has not put a foot wrong.”
Although she was criticized a bit for her awkward fashion choices
immediately post wedding, she has quickly sharpened her style, favoring
figure-hugging designs and eschewing headgear. The newlyweds triumphed
on their recent tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji where
they enchanted fans with their outgoing manner and Princess Diana-like
ease with ordinary folk. Whereas Kate tends to keep a safe distance
between herself and Queen Elizabeth’s subjects, Meghan has no problems
hugging people across the crowd-control barriers.
Of course, some Windsor watchers will always find something to complain
about. When the Duchess of Sussex announced her pregnancy five months
after marriage, there were mutterings that the 37-year-old would be a
“geriatric mother.”
Eyebrows were also raised earlier this month by the sudden departure of a
personal assistant on Harry and Meghan’s staff. It followed the
resignations of communications secretary Katrina McKeever from
Kensington Palace in September and Harry’s former right-hand man, Edward
Lane Fox, who is believed to be leaving his post earlier than expected.
Dampier believes the latest assistant’s exit is a red herring: The
employee turnover rate at Buckingham Palace is notoriously high due to
the low salaries. But Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty
magazine, is not so sure.
“There’s lots of rumors swirling around that Meghan is a diva and staff
are leaving because of it,” she told The Post. “They are saying that
she’s upset Kate and William, too. She’s not the most popular girl on
the block.”
It was just announced that Meghan and Harry are moving from their digs
in Kensington Palace (where William and Kate also live) to Windsor,
outside of London, in the New Year.
Dampier, former royal correspondent for The Sun newspaper of Britain,
believes there may be some competitive feelings coming from Kate who was
on maternity leave when Meghan first burst onto the scene.
“There’s no hard evidence for it, but I’m sure there will be a little
bit of jealousy,” he said. (To be fair, Kate is likely under more
pressure to be perfect given that she will presumably be the Queen of
England one day.)
While the American-born Meghan is a favorite of Britain’s middle and
lower-middle classes, some members of the elite have yet to be won over.
“The Establishment is slightly skeptical of her jetting off to all sorts
of deprived places and holding the hands of the unfortunate,” said
Seward, author of “My Husband and I,” about the 70-year marriage of the
Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. “I think they feel she is too much of
an actress.”
Still, the Duchess of Sussex has a full calendar and is a hard worker.
She is said to rise at 5 a.m. and sends six or seven texts a day to
staff with ideas and requests.
Added Seward: “[Working hard] is a very admirable trait as far as the British people are concerned.”
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