Meghan Markle, 42, views herself as Princess Diana’s successor, says a royal expert explaining the reason

In the worlds of royalty and fame, few individuals have captured public fascination like Princess Diana and Meghan Markle. Now, a royal expert has shared insights into Markle’s perspective. Ever since she entered into a relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has faced intense public scrutiny. Some have drawn comparisons between her and Princess Diana, while others believe she could never match up to her late mother-in-law.

Princess Diana, known for her compassion and disruption of royal norms, left behind a legacy of humanitarianism and vulnerability that reshaped the British monarchy. Markle, once an American actress now Duchess of Sussex, has paved her own way, challenging conventions and facing intense scrutiny in her royal role. Recently, at 42, Markle launched her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, sparking discussions about her connection to Diana’s legacy. This move, brimming with ambition and personal expression, has drawn insights from royal experts and sparked various reactions from the public. American Riviera Orchard signifies Markle’s latest endeavor to merge public influence with private entrepreneurial ambition, offering homeware products as a testament to her commitment to a legacy beyond her royal title.

The brand’s launch happened at the same time as The Diana Award ceremony, a timing that royal expert Tom Quinn thinks wasn’t coincidental. According to Quinn, Markle sees herself as “Diana’s heir,” facing similar media attention but striving for personal and societal progress like her late mother-in-law. However, opinions differ on this connection to Diana’s legacy, with some seeing it as respectful and others criticizing it for using royal ties.

Comparisons between Markle and Princess Diana aren’t new. Prince Harry himself has frequently pointed out the similarities between the two most significant women in his life. In their Netflix documentary series, “Harry & Meghan,” Harry highlighted Markle’s compassion, empathy, and warmth, traits he strongly connects with his mother.

The comparison goes beyond just personality traits, touching on their shared struggles with media scrutiny and their commitment to using their public platforms for advocacy and change. In a segment from the documentary, Prince Harry recounted a night when he and Meghan were staying in a room at Buckingham Palace after a royal engagement. Despite the presence of most royal family members, including his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, the media chose to feature Markle on the front page.

Several royal fans accused Markle of attempting to overshadow other royals, but Prince Harry clarified that it’s the media, not the royals, who decide who appears on the front page. However, this association with Diana’s legacy has its pros and cons, serving as both inspiration and a possible source of conflict within and outside the royal family. Critics claim that Markle’s business ventures, especially the timing of her brand’s launch, indicate a deliberate effort to link her image with Diana’s lasting impact.

This viewpoint suggests a nuanced balancing act between personal aspirations and public perception, where each decision is closely examined for its genuineness and adherence to royal customs. However, supporters view Markle’s actions as a continuation of Diana’s legacy, honoring her memory by embodying the same spirit of independence and social consciousness. Therefore, the launch of American Riviera Orchard goes beyond mere brand introduction. It serves as Markle’s statement of identity and purpose, declaring how she wants to be perceived and remembered. By aligning her entrepreneurial pursuits with Diana’s legacy, Markle is creating a space where her endeavors can be both personally fulfilling and beneficial to others.

However, Meghan faces constant comparisons and expectations, with every move being measured against Princess Diana’s legacy. As she develops her brand and public image, discussions about her connection to Diana will likely continue. Starting her business coincides with Meghan defining her identity on their new website. They launched it, changing from Sussex Royal to just Sussex. Despite stepping back from official duties, they still use their titles. Their website shares more about their lives and work. Meghan’s page uses only her first name, a common practice among British Royals.

Meghan’s story on the website talks about her childhood, showing how she went from being a young girl in Southern California to becoming an influential person today. The page also talks about her support for women, mental health, fairness between genders, and taking care of families. Meghan’s impact and fame are also shown by her being mentioned in different lists of important people worldwide. Now, living in California with her two kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Meghan and Harry are starting a new life away from their big roles in the British Royal Family. Their children’s names connect them to Harry’s background and are important parts of their lives in America.

After moving, they started the Archewell Foundation and released the podcast “Archetypes.” These show their continued dedication to helping others and having important conversations. Meghan’s information is on the Royal Family’s official website, but it doesn’t say a lot about what she supports or does. It says that Meghan and Harry aren’t senior members of the family anymore but will still help charities and groups that they’ve cared about for a long time, like the arts, education, helping women, and taking care of animals.

Recently, when King Charles got sick with cancer, Prince Harry went back to London to be with him. But Meghan Markle stayed in America during this time. The reason for Meghan’s choice wasn’t confirmed, but the King’s former butler, Grant Harrold, talked about it. He said, “Meghan decided it was best to stay home with the children, and maybe she thinks this is something Harry should do on his own. It’s his father. She knows how close they are and probably told him to go.”