A Seeming lifetime ago Meghan was braving the miserable English weather, doing her bit on a rigid roster of royal duties.
She smiled and waved when she needed to, she went on official visits. She pulled on her big-girl stockings, dropped her hemlines, and pinned tiny hats to her glossy head. She navigated her way around a maze of palaces and castles while kings and queens of centuries past glowered from towering portraits in hallowed halls.
Teatime was cucumber sandwiches and cream scones, Sunday lunch was roast meat with three veg and home was a renovated “cottage” in the grounds of Windsor Castle – a house she and her husband were pilloried for after spending millions renovating it to their taste.
But, oh, how times have changed. It’s hard to believe it’s been only 10 months since Meghan and Harry announced they were leaving the royal family to become free agents, unshackled from royal chains.
Meghan (39), for one, has done a complete 360 from the woman she was as a working royal, obeying the rules prescribed by a protocol she found dull and stifling.
Today the former actress is back in her homeland, basking in the sunshine and embracing a life of philanthropic ideals. She has her prince at her side, her son at her feet – and her mojo is back with a bang.
STYLE WITH SOUL
The duchess is likely to have breathed a sigh of relief when she left the UK and closed the door on a wardrobe of sensible neutrals, conservative hemlines, and for gettable pumps.
The palace was even blamed for “beigeifying” Meghan at the beginning of her royal life, stripping her of colour and flair in a bid to make her more conformist.
Esta historia es de la edición 22 October 2020 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 22 October 2020 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
