Meghan Markle Criticizes ‘Silly’ Royal Rule She Was Forced to Follow
"Let’s be honest, that was not very me."
Meghan Markle has offered fresh insight into the challenges she faced adjusting to life as a senior member of the British royal family, describing how certain traditions made her feel “inauthentic.”
The Duchess of Sussex, who released the latest season of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan on August 26, appeared on YouTube’s The Circle with Emily Chang, where she reflected on the culture shock of moving from Hollywood into the rigid expectations of royal life.
While Meghan did not explicitly say the moment occurred during her time as a working royal, she explained that “several years ago” she was required to wear one particular item of clothing that never felt natural to her.
“It was different several years ago when I couldn’t be as vocal, and I had to wear nude pantyhose all the time,” Meghan said. “Let’s be honest, that was not very me. I hadn’t seen pantyhose since movies in the '80s when they came in the little egg. That felt a little bit inauthentic. And that’s a silly example.”
The mother of two clarified that while the tights were a small detail, they symbolized a larger issue: being unable to fully express her authentic self.
“But it is an example of when you’re able to dress the way you want to dress and you are able to say the things you want to say that are true and be able to show up in a space that is really organic and authentic; that’s being comfortable in your own skin,” she said.
Samir HusseinFinding Her Own Voice
Meghan and Prince Harry first went public with their relationship in 2016, married in 2018, and stepped down as senior royals in 2020. She said those years taught her a lot about self-expression and how important it is to embrace authenticity.
“Of course, I have had different chapters in my life. But right now, I don’t feel I need to prove anything,” Meghan told Chang.
The concept of culture shock, experienced by Meghan, is well-documented in psychological literature. It's a common phenomenon when individuals move to a different cultural environment and have to adjust to new social norms. Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, emphasizes, "Culture shock can evoke feelings of uncertainty and stress as individuals grapple with new expectations and norms." For more insights, visit her professional website at susandavid.com. This aligns with Meghan's experiences as she adapted to her new royal role.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals back in 2020
Max Mumby/IndigoSeparation From Her Children
In the interview, Meghan also spoke candidly about a difficult period when she and Harry were away from their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for nearly three weeks.
“The longest I went without being around our kids was almost three weeks. I was… not well,” she admitted.
Though she did not specify when this separation occurred, many believe she was referring to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, when she and Harry returned to the UK and remained for the mourning period.
In his memoir Spare, Harry also recalled the relief of returning to California after the funeral, writing that the couple “couldn’t let them [Archie and Lilibet] out of their sight” once reunited.
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about adjusting to royal life in a new interview
YouTube/Bloomberg Originals
Understanding the Psychology of Transition
Meghan Markle's struggle to adapt to royal life can be understood through the lens of transition psychology. Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, discusses the challenges of role transition in his WorkLife podcast. His research indicates that when individuals switch roles, especially those involving significant lifestyle changes, it becomes a challenge to maintain authenticity. This could explain Meghan's feelings of inauthenticity in her new royal role.
A Life Beyond Royal Expectations
Since leaving their roles as working royals, Meghan and Harry have focused on building independent projects, from their Netflix series to philanthropic work through the Archewell Foundation. Her latest comments reflect an ongoing theme of reclaiming her identity after years of navigating the strict expectations of the monarchy.
Impact of Rigid Expectations on Mental Health
Living under rigid expectations, as Meghan did, can have a significant impact on mental health. According to a study by Dr. Scott Schieman, the pressure to meet societal expectations can lead to increased stress and even depression. Meghan's candid disclosure about her mental health struggles during her time as a royal corroborates this research finding.
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, the psychological challenges Meghan Markle faced during her transition into royal life can be understood through established psychological concepts such as role transition, culture shock, and the influence of societal expectations on mental health. As noted by Dr. Tara Brach, a renowned psychologist, "Transitioning into a new role can often lead to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, especially when societal pressures are involved" (Dr. Tara Brach). Her experiences serve as a poignant example of these psychological principles, enhancing our understanding of their effects in unique life situations.
