Meghan Markle: what to expect from her life as a royal
The new Duchess of Sussex is diving straight into her royal duties
Following her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle will now be known as the Duchess of Sussex - but her name is far from the only thing that has changed. By marrying into “the Firm”, the 36-year-old has traded in her career as a US television star for a very different way of life.
Markle may have broken with tradition to organise a wedding that was unconventional in many ways, but she has respected the convention that senior members of the royal family do not hold a public-facing “day job”, outside the armed forces.
So, while being able to smile and look interested on cue will surely serve her well in her royal duties, acting roles are firmly off the cards for the newly-minted duchess.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fortunately, Markle has a long history of activism and charity work which gives her a solid foundation for her new life as a royal.
According to her biography on the official royal family website, she wrote a letter protesting against a “sexist” advert aged 11 and began volunteering at a soup kitchen at the age of 13.
The biography, which makes only a passing reference to the duchess’s acting career, paints a portrait of a woman passionately committed to female empowerment, particularly in the developing world.
Charities she has worked with include UN Women and Myna Mahila Foundation “who empower women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities”.
As well as women’s rights, she has also worked on charity campaigns around youth leadership, modern-day slavery and access to drinking water.
She is in good company in her new family when it comes to campaigning for causes close to her heart. Her first official appearance with Prince Harry was at the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition he founded for wounded service personnel, and both Harry and William have also been vocal advocates for mental health.
Prince Charles’ environmentalism is well-documented, while the rehabilitation of the Duchess of Cornwall’s public image has been partly attributed to her work with victims of domestic abuse.
While the precise details of how the new duchess intends to use her position remain to be seen, she has already said that she intends to “hit the ground running”.
In fact, the couple are so keen to get started on their royal duties that they are holding off on enjoying a honeymoon until they have some public engagements under their belt.
“Meghan is due to join the Queen at the Chelsea Flower Show this week, before the newest member of the royal family and her husband make a short trip to Ireland,” News.com.au reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Duchess of Gloucester: the hard-working royal you've never heard of
Under The Radar Outer royal 'never expected' to do duties but has stepped up to the plate
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Manipulated' photo of UK's Princess Kate spiked
speed read The first official image of Kate Middleton since January has been retracted
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Regency Acts: what happens if King Charles can't perform his duties
The Explainer Monarch's responsibilities could be carried out by a regent or the counsellors of state
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
King Charles diagnosed with cancer
Speed Read Monarch 'remains wholly positive about his treatment', during which senior royals are expected to stand in for him
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Princess of Wales to remain in hospital for two weeks as King prepares for prostate treatment
Speed Read The timing of the two royal medical announcements was said to be an 'unavoidable coincidence'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary: a guide to Denmark's next king and queen
Why everyone's talking about Queen Margrethe II is stepping down after 52 years on Denmark's throne
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
King laughs about his 'sausage fingers' in new documentary
Speed Read Charles's ample digits have long attracted 'attention and concern' but he is often the 'first to poke fun'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published