How is the Duchess adapting to Palace life?
There was absolutely no chance Meghan Markle was going to be able to ease her way into royal life slowly and without fuss. Since her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, there’s been a whirlwind of engagements, a family wedding and a whole host of charities and causes to get to grips with before she decides what patronages to adopt.
Then there’s the not-inconsiderable upheaval of living with the in-laws, as she adjusts to the fish bowl that is Kensington Palace, full of aged aunts, dotty cousins and the beloved future monarchs Prince William and Kate Middleton as next door neighbours.
Aided and abetted by designers queuing up to dress her perfect figure, and money being no object, Meghan has certainly looked the part while she’s treading a careful path into the steep learning curve of her new job.
After two months in the gig, we ask: how has she been getting on?
Decorum and etiquette
A cornerstone of royalty, protocol is all-important. Apart from a slight faux pas involving crossing her legs at a palace function (always the ankle, dear, never the knee), Meghan hasn’t put a foot wrong.
She stands respectfully, clutching a clutch, listens to the meeters and greeters, and her smile needs no practising. She’s even developed a faint British accent, according to recent video footage.
When she was obliged to play wing-woman to the Queen on a train trip to cut ribbons, she coped flawlessly, standing a few steps behind Her Majesty, as custom dictates, politely shaking hands and managing even to have a laugh on occasion.