Meghan Markle, 42, Sees Herself as Princess Diana’s ‘Heir’: Royal Expert Explains the Sign
Princess Diana | Meghan Markle | Source: Getty Images

In the realms of royalty and celebrity, few figures have captivated the public imagination as deeply as Princess Diana and Meghan Markle. Now, a royal expert has weighed in on Markle’s mindset.

Meghan Markle during her visit to ActionAid during the royal tour of South Africa on October 01, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa | Source: Getty Images

Since the beginning of her relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has been heavily scrutinized by the public. Some have compared her to Princess Diana and others have said she could never measure up to her late-mother-in-law.

Princess Diana during a trip to Canada in May 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Princess Diana, a beacon of compassion and a disruptor of the traditional royal protocol, left a legacy of humanitarian work and personal vulnerability that reshaped the British monarchy.

Princess Diana visiting patients suffering from AIDS at the Hospital Universidade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 25th April 1991 | Source: Getty Images
Markle, an American actress turned Duchess of Sussex, has carved her own path, challenging norms and facing intense scrutiny while navigating her role within the same institution.

Meghan Markle at the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals at the Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Recently, Markle, at the age of 42, embarked on a new venture, launching her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. This move, rich in ambition and personal expression, has reignited conversations about her connection to Diana’s legacy, stirring insights from royal experts and evoking varied reactions from the public.

American Riviera Orchard’s logo as seen in a March 14, 2024 YouTube post | Source: Youtube.com/@pagesix
American Riviera Orchard represents Markle’s latest step in crafting a life that merges public influence with private entrepreneurial ambition.

Meghan Markle as seen in a March 14, 2024 YouTube post | Source: Youtube.com/@pagesix
The brand, which will offer an array of homewares products, signifies her commitment to creating a legacy that transcends her royal title.

Meghan Markle as seen in a March 14, 2024 YouTube post | Source: Youtube.com/@pagesix
Notably, the brand’s launch coincided with The Diana Award ceremony, a decision that royal expert Tom Quinn suggests is no mere coincidence.

According to Quinn, Markle sees herself as “Diana’s heir,” a woman who, like her late mother-in-law, faces the media’s glare but strives to leverage her platform for personal and broader societal gain.

Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games One Year To Go Winter Training Camp at Hillcrest Community Centre on February 16, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada | Source: Getty Images
However, this alignment with Diana’s legacy has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a respectful nod to the past, while others criticize it as capitalizing on royal connections.

Princess Diana at her home, Highgrove House, in Doughton, Gloucestershire, 18th July 1986 | Source: Getty Images
The parallels drawn between Markle and Princess Diana are not new. Prince Harry himself has often highlighted the similarities between the two most influential women in his life.

Prince Harry and Princess Diana in Majorca, Spain on August 10, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
In their Netflix documentary series, “Harry & Meghan,” Harry emphasized Markle’s compassion, empathy, and warmth, traits he deeply associates with his mother.

Meghan Markle and her son, Archie, at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town on September 25, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
This comparison extends beyond personality traits, touching on their shared experiences with media scrutiny and their desire to use their public platforms for advocacy and change.

Meghan Markle at the 2023 Variety Power Of Women event at Mother Wolf on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
In an excerpt from the documentary, Prince Harry recalled a night when he and Meghan were staying in a room at Buckingham Palace following a royal engagement.

Although most royal family members were there, including his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, the person the media chose to portray on the front page was Markle.

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace as the Royal family attend events to mark the Centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Many royal fans accused Markle of trying to steal the spotlight from other royals, but Prince Harry clarified that the media chose who they put on the front page, not the royals.

Various newspaper front pages showing news about Meghan Markle on March 8, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Yet, this connection to Diana’s legacy is a double-edged sword, offering both a source of inspiration and a potential point of contention within and outside the royal family.

Princess Diana Serpentine Gallery, London, in June 1994 | Source: Getty Images
Critics argue that Markle’s business endeavors, particularly the timing of her brand’s launch, reflect a calculated move to align her image with Diana’s enduring influence.

Princess Diana in Chicago on June 6, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
This perspective suggests a complex navigation of personal ambition and public perception, where every decision is scrutinized for its authenticity and respect for royal traditions.

Meghan Markle during a visit to The Justice Desk on September 30, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa | Source: Getty Images
Yet, supporters see Markle’s actions as a continuation of Diana’s legacy, a way of honoring her memory by embodying the same spirit of independence and social consciousness.

The launch of American Riviera Orchard, therefore, is more than just the introduction of a new brand. It’s a statement of identity and purpose from Markle, a declaration of how she wishes to be seen and remembered.

By aligning her entrepreneurial ventures with Diana’s legacy, Markle is carving a space where her work can be both personally fulfilling and beneficial to others.

Meghan Markle greets Yuliia ‘Taira’ Paievska during the Swimming Medals Ceremony during day seven of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany | Source: Getty Images
However, the path she navigates is fraught with comparisons and expectations, where her every move is seen through the lens of her late mother-in-law’s shadow.

Princess Diana with children injured by mines at Neves Bendinha Orthopaedic Workshop in Luanda, Angola on January 14, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
As Markle continues to build her brand and define her public persona, the conversation around her connection to Princess Diana’s legacy is unlikely to wane.

The move to start a business comes at the same time as Markle carving out her identity on hers and her husband’s new website. We previously reported that the pair launched a new website in which Markle altered her publicly-used name.

As Prince Harry and Markle launched the new website, they transitioned from the Sussex Royal URL handle to simply Sussex. Despite stepping back from official royal duties, they continue to use their titles. The website includes a section designed to offer the public more insight into their lives and work.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the cycling medal ceremony at the Cycling Track during day six of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 15, 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany | Source: Getty Images
Notably, Meghan’s page introduces her using only her first name, omitting her family name. This decision reflects a common practice among British Royals, who are frequently referred to by their first names and titles.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan’s narrative on the site includes her upbringing, painting a picture of her journey from a young South California girl to the influential figure she is today. The page also featured her advocacies for women, mental health, gender equality, and family care.

Meghan Markle at the Variety Power of Women event in Los Angeles, California on November 16, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan’s impact and recognition are also highlighted through her inclusion in various world rankings, marking her as a notable figure on the global stage.

Now residing in California as a mother of two, Meghan and Harry have embarked on a new chapter away from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family.

Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whose names are emblematic of their continued connection to Harry’s heritage, are a significant part of their lives in America.

Meghan Markle at The Fashion Awards in London, England on December 10, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Following their move, the couple launched the Archewell Foundation and introduced the podcast “Archetypes,” initiatives that underline their ongoing commitment to public service and discourse.

Meghan Markle at the College Women of The Year event in New York City on April 27, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan’s details are available on the Royal Family’s official website, though it offers limited information about her advocacies and activities.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as seen in a March 7, 2020 Instagram post | Source: Instagram.com/sussexroyal
It mentions that she and her husband have stepped back as senior members, stating, “The Duchess will continue to support various charitable causes and organizations that align with her longstanding interests, including the arts, education access, women’s support, and animal welfare.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards | Source: Getty images
Recently, in light of King Charles’ recent cancer diagnosis, Prince Harry returned to London to be by his father’s side. However, Meghan Markle decided to stay in America during this period.

Prince Harry and King Charles III at the “Our Planet” global premiere at Natural History Museum on April 04, 2019 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
The reasons behind Meghan’s choice to remain in America, while not confirmed were revealed by the King’s former butler, Grant Harrold.

“Meghan made the decision that it was best to stay home with the children, and maybe she feels that this is something Harry has got to do alone,” he said. “It’s his father. She’s aware of the close relationship and probably encouraged him to come over.”