On her Markles … the scores are in for fashion, etiquette, appearance, family and good causes

Two months into the gig, how is the new Duchess of Sussex holding up? As Meghan Markle arrives in Dublin, Sinead Ryan charts the highs and lows

How terrifying though must the journey down with HM have been on the royal train, which is kitted out not so much like the Orient Express as the Holiday Inn Express, moving to a siding while everyone got some kip (what were the chances of any shut eye?).

Copying the royals is half the battle; they are world beaters at decorum, and Meghan, with her actress background, is getting a masterclass in how to behave. Result so far: 9/10.

Still to learn? The words to God Save the Queen and practising that curtsy.

Appearance

‘Safety first’ has been the rather disappointing message thus far. Meghan has worn an array of inexplicably dull dresses, covering the spectrum from white to er, cream; nude to... horror, beige and blush pink. Fine for mother of the bride, but she can do better.

It’s not as if a colour pop wouldn’t light her up and with the average frock costing thousands of pounds, a little bit of daring shouldn’t be out of the question.

At Harry’s cousin’s wedding, she was so intent on not showing up the bride, she draped herself in a blue flowery duvet cover — well, that’s what it looked like to many, swamping her tiny frame.

Shoes have been nude, nude, nude (how many types are there?), all evidently a half size too big (it’s to fend off blisters, apparently), while hemlines are strictly below the knee and all the trendy stacking rings and fun accessories have disappeared in favour of jewellery straight from the Kate Middleton playbook.

Hair has more often than not arrived trussed in a sleek bun, rather than her signature messy bun or the flowing tress- es we love. In the last few weeks, there has been a glimmer of hope though: a fabulous Audrey Hepburn style outfit to the races and a popping banana yellow Brandon Maxwell pencil dress at a guards’ presentation suggest that the old Meghan is hiding in there. Result so far: 6/10. Still to learn? Meghan has fantastic dress sense. Embrace it with a little less caution.

PDAs

What we love about Harry and Meghan is their touchy-feely approach around each other and with people they meet.

On her pre-wedding engagements, she would launch herself into crowds, hands reaching out to hug. Since then, it’s been polite handshakes and no selfies. The couple themselves have largely eschewed the hand-holding, perhaps in an effort to up the ‘professional working couple’ message, but we miss it. They are loved-up newlyweds — how about flaunting it!

Result so far: 8/10.

Still to learn? Harry is the most relaxed member of the royal family. It’s okay to chill a bit.

Family

Meghan’s family have continued to provide tabloid fodder, with dad Thomas unable to find a camera he doesn’t like and at least one half-sister already proposed for a reality TV show.

Meghan has sensibly left them to it and immersed herself in her new family instead. Even if

Causes

Meghan’s new role will be to take on a selection of carefully chosen patronages and charities to whom she can provide support. It’s a huge cachet for an organisation to have a senior royal on board as it guarantees column inches.

Meghan is currently undertaking a listening exercise with lots of groups and she’ll make her choices in due course. She is the type of woman who wants to delve in and make a difference, rather than just showing up at openings.

The royal family widely supports the arts, so perhaps ballet, dance or theatre for deprived kids could be a great start, given her background.

She has form too in the area of human rights, visiting Africa long before she met Harry to aid causes there. She is a vocal advocate for the One Young World charity and attended its summit in Dublin in 2014.

Meghan has also spoken out on gender equality, poverty and women’s issues, as well as addressing the UN on occasion.

Her official royal biography even highlights her belief that she is “proud to be a woman and a feminist”.

No shrinking violet then, but anything that smacks of politics will have to be put aside as the royals are considered to be ‘above’ it, so Meghan will have to tone down the rhetoric and up the smiling and nodding. With theroyals,awhisperistheequivalent of a placard.

Result so far: To be determined. Still to learn? Loads of opportunity here, we have no doubt this is where Meghan will truly make her mark.