... and the picture every mum will identify with

SEEING the pictures of Meghan Markle holding her firstborn, it was impossible not to smile. Meghan and two-monthold Archie Mountbatten-Windsor were there to back Daddy Harry at a charity polo match — but all eyes were on the new mother and her baby, who was making his first public appearance.

Despite Meghan’s big Stella McCartney sunglasses, nothing could conceal her delight in her son. Yet at one point she struggled to keep Archie from slipping from her embrace — a moment that will have filled every mother with sympathy.

This showed that, like the rest of us, she can be a little overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. And how refreshing, and reassuring, this is.

I still remember when I held my tiny daughter in her first few months fearing that, in one wrong move, I might break her like a china doll.

In Meghan, I recognised the fierce protective instinct that takes hold of new mothers as she held Archie tight throughout the outing.

Even when Harry, match over, came to greet his son, Meghan looked a bit wary at the prospect of handing him over to his proud daddy.

With that hesitation she demonstrated that feeling of being torn between your husband and your child. For a few months, I suspect, Prince Harry will have to concede first place to Archie.

Despite all this, there was a new serenity about Meghan. In pre-birth photos Meghan looked breathtakingly beautiful, glamorous and confident. With Archie in her arms, she radiated pure joy.

Regardless of their royal status, Meghan cradling her baby struck a universal chord: the bond between mother and child is recognisable and heartwarming. Pride, protectiveness and selflessness fold into one extraordinary relationship like no other.

Her new look offers another clue to her total immersion in motherhood: she hasn’t returned immediately to a gym-honed figure, but is still carrying, rather wonderfully, the natural weight gain of recent motherhood.

Unlike other celebrity mothers who flaunt their tiny frames within weeks of birth, and make mere mortals look woefully at their own mummy tummies, Meghan is in no hurry to exercise away those softer curves. She’s also forgoing her previous ontrend

Bundle of joy: Meghan struggles to keep Archie in her embrace looks for the looser, comfy clothes loved by every mother for their practicality. As a result, she looks gorgeously relaxed.

‘This is not about me,’ she seems to be saying, ‘this is about the wonderful new life I’ve given birth to.’

Taking second place to another sounds odd in today’s world, which encourages everyone to put themselves first. But having a baby gives you a new perspective — not just on clothes, but values and friendships.

As she watches over her son, Meghan will be setting her new priorities. There’s a fresh focus in her daily life — what’s best for Archie.

MEGHAN as mother benefits from another quality: age. At 37, she is young enough to have more children, but also mature enough to relish motherhood. Being older, as I was when I had my daughter, Izzy, at 43, means having no regrets about baby getting in the way of a career, a social life or adventure.

Meghan has proved herself as an actress and has had her share of romance. She is ready for the next phase, of caring-sharing mothering.

Some of her confidence will come, no doubt, from her mother, Doria. Who better to counsel you about breastfeeding pains or sleeping rituals?

Neuroscientists these days can show clearly how an infant’s brain thrives on mother love.

With Meghan and Archie, we need no scientific imaging to recognise their precious bond. No longer the flawless Hollywood star, Meghan is being transformed by her best role yet — marvellous motherhood.