The Duchess of Sussex added, “Let’s be honest, that was not very myself”

 

 

Meghan Markle opened up about a royal rule that left her feeling out of step with her authentic self during a candid interview on *The Circuit* with Emily Chang, part of Bloomberg Originals.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, reflected on her years within the British royal family, explaining that certain formalities, including being required to wear nude pantyhose at all times, made her feel constrained.

“Let’s be honest, that was not very myself,” Meghan said, recalling the strict dress code with a laugh.

She admitted the mandate felt “a little bit inauthentic” and joked about not having worn pantyhose since the 1980s when they came in a little egg-shaped package.

The conversation, released on August 26, 2025, coincided with the premiere of the second season of Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle series *With Love, Meghan*, which follows the Duchess in her home in California as she explores cooking, crafting, and other personal passions.

 

 

Meghan discussed her life after stepping back from royal duties in 2020 alongside Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and how that transition allowed her to express herself more freely.

“But it is an example of when you’re able to dress the way you wanna dress and you’re able to say the things that are true and you’re able to show up in the space really organically and authentically, that’s being comfortable in your own skin,” she explained.

During the wide-ranging interview, Meghan addressed the inherent challenges of balancing relatability with the expectations of a royal.

Emily Chang asked, “Is there an inherent tension in trying to be relatable while also being a duchess?” Meghan responded with confidence, “No, I don’t find — I’m just being myself. So I think, probably, it was different several years ago where I couldn’t be as vocal.”

She reflected on how the constraints of royal life had shaped her clothing choices, noting that blending in often meant wearing muted tones like camel, beige, or white to avoid conflicting with Queen Elizabeth, senior royals, or even Kate Middleton.

“There was no version of me joining this family and me not doing everything I could to fit in. I don’t want to embarrass the family,” she said.

 

 

Meghan also recalled rules about color coordination at formal royal events.

“To my understanding, you could never wear the same color as Her Majesty if there’s a group event, but then you also shouldn’t be wearing the same color as one of the other more senior members of the family,” she explained.

Her clever use of muted tones allowed her to blend in while adhering to unspoken protocols, yet it often left her personal style feeling suppressed.

The Duchess acknowledged that even small choices like pantyhose were emblematic of broader limitations on her ability to freely express herself during her time as a working royal.

The interview also offered insight into Meghan’s life in California, where she and Harry are raising their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

Meghan described her life post-royalty as an opportunity to inhabit her own identity, free from rigid rules and expectations. “But right now, no, I don’t feel, I don’t feel that I need to prove anything,” she said.

This sentiment was echoed in her Netflix series, which launched its second season the same day, showcasing Meghan in personal and professional spaces that allow her to explore creativity,

connect with celebrity guests like Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, Jay Shetty, and José Andrés, and engage in projects that feel authentically hers.

 

 

The Duchess’s reflections come two years after the release of *Harry & Meghan*, a docuseries in which she discussed her struggles with royal protocol and the pressure to conform to traditions she sometimes found stifling.

Meghan’s discussion of muted clothing choices and her intent to blend in underscores the careful navigation required of royals who seek to honor family traditions while maintaining individuality.

The nuances of royal life, from etiquette to wardrobe, created a tension that Meghan now highlights as a key factor in her desire for autonomy.

Fans and royal observers have long noted Meghan’s emphasis on authenticity and self-expression, and this interview provides a candid glimpse into the small yet symbolic ways in which royal life restricted her personal identity.

Her playful recollection of pantyhose rules serves as a lighthearted but revealing window into the daily realities behind palace walls, where appearances often mattered as much as public duties.