The 42-year-old Meghan Markle regards herself as Princess Diana’s “Heir”: Royal Expert Describes the Symptom

Few people in the worlds of royalty and fame have had such a profound impact on the public consciousness as Princess Diana and Meghan Markle. A royal specialist has now commented on Markle’s state of mind.

Public scrutiny of Meghan Markle has been intense ever since she started dating Prince Harry. She’s been compared to Princess Diana by some, while her late mother-in-law has been claimed to be someone she could never match by others.

Princess Diana changed the British monarchy with her humanitarian activities and openness to the public. She was a light of compassion and a challenger of the established royal procedure.

The former American actress turned Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has forged her own way by defying expectations and coming under harsh scrutiny while juggling her position within the same organization.

At the age of 42, Markle just started a new business endeavor by introducing her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. This ambitious and very personal move has sparked new discussions about her relationship to Diana’s legacy, provoking opinions from royal experts and a range of responses from the general public.

Markle’s most recent endeavor in creating a life that combines her public persona with her private aspirations for entrepreneurship is American Riviera Orchard.

The brand, which will sell a variety of household goods, represents her dedication to leaving a legacy that goes beyond her position as a princess.

Notably, Tom Quinn, a royal scholar, claims that the brand’s launch was not a random choice because it coincided with The Diana Award event.

Quinn claims that Markle views herself as “Diana’s heir,” a person who, like her late mother-in-law, struggles with the spotlight but aspires to use her position for both private and public benefit.

This adherence to Diana’s legacy has, however, generated controversy. While some see it as a polite reference to the past, others condemn it as exploiting their royal ties.

On July 18, 1986, Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997), sat on a stair at her Doughton, Gloucestershire, residence, Highgrove House. (Image courtesy of Getty Images; Tim Graham Photo Library))
There have long been comparisons made between Markle and Princess Diana. Prince Harry has frequently emphasized the parallels between the two most significant ladies in his life.

Harry highlighted Markle’s warmth, kindness, and empathy in their Netflix documentary series “Harry & Meghan,” qualities he strongly identifies with his mother.

On September 25, 2019, at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex of Britain, holds her infant son Archie while she and her husband attend a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah. The 10-day tour of southern Africa is the British royal couple’s first formal family outing since the birth of their son Archie in May. (Image by POOL / AFP / HENK KRUGER) (Image via Getty Images; photo by HENK KRUGER/POOL/AFP)
Their similar experiences with media scrutiny and their willingness to use their public platforms for advocacy and change are also discussed in this comparison, which goes beyond personality features.

In a clip from the documentary, Prince Harry talked about a night after a royal engagement when he and Meghan were spending the night in a room at Buckingham Palace.

Despite the presence of most members of the royal family, including his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, Markle was the one featured on the front page of the media.

July 10, 2018 in London, England: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Royal family’s attendance at festivities commemorating the RAF’s centennial. Picture courtesy of Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry stressed that the media, not the royal family, decides who appears on the front page. Markle was accused by many royal fans of attempting to usurp the limelight from other royals.

However, this relationship to Diana’s legacy is not without its drawbacks, serving as a potential source of conflict both inside and outside the royal family as well as an inspiration.

Critics contend that Markle’s commercial ventures, especially the timing of her brand’s introduction, are a premeditated attempt to harmonize her reputation with Diana’s lasting impact.

In June 1994, Princess Diana (1961–1997) arrived at the Serpentine Gallery in London wearing a dress designed by Christina Stambolian. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Jayne Fincher)

This viewpoint implies a difficult balancing act between public perception and personal ambition, where every move is evaluated for sincerity and adherence to royal customs.

Supporters, however, regard Markle’s actions as carrying on Diana’s tradition and paying tribute to her memory by emulating her independent spirit and social consciousness.

Thus, the launching of American Riviera Orchard represents more than just a new brand launch. It’s a proclamation of Markle’s identity and goals, as well as how she wants to be perceived and remembered.

Through the alignment of her business endeavors with Diana’s legacy, Markle is creating an environment in which her job may be both personally gratifying and helpful to others.

But every step she takes is viewed in the shadow of her late mother-in-law, and her journey is paved with expectations and comparisons.

Talk about Markle’s relationship to Princess Diana’s legacy is unlikely to go away as she develops her brand and public presence.

Markle is establishing her online persona on her and her spouse’s new websites concurrently with her decision to launch a business. As we previously revealed, Markle changed her name that she uses in public when the two opened a new website.

Prince Harry and Markle changed the Sussex Royal URL handle to just Sussex when they unveiled the new website. They have resigned their positions as official royals, yet they still use their titles. A component of the website is devoted to providing the public with additional insight into the lives and work of the authors.

Notably, Meghan’s profile omits her family name and simply uses her first name to introduce her. This choice is in line with the custom of British Royals, who are usually addressed by their first names and titles.

On the website, Meghan describes her upbringing and her path from a small kid in South California to the well-known person she is today. Her support of women, mental health, gender equality, and family care was also highlighted on the page.

Meghan’s prominence and influence are further underscored by the fact that she appears in a number of world rankings, designating her as a significant player on the international scene.

As mothers of two, Meghan and Harry have moved to California and started a new chapter in their lives apart from their positions as senior members of the British Royal Family.

A major aspect of their existence in America is their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whose names symbolize their ongoing ties to Harry’s family.

After moving, the couple started the Archewell Foundation and the “Archetypes” podcast, two endeavors that demonstrate their continued dedication to public conversation and service.

The official website of the Royal Family has information about Meghan, but it doesn’t go into great length about her activities and causes.

“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,” the article reads, noting that she and her husband have stepped back as senior members.

Recently, Prince Harry traveled back to London to be at his father’s side following the news that King Charles has cancer. But Meghan Markle made the decision to remain in the United States at this time.

Although unconfirmed, Meghan’s decision to stay in America was explained by Grant Harrold, the King’s former butler.

He remarked, “Maybe Meghan feels that Harry needs to handle this alone because she decided it was best to stay at home with the kids.” It’s his dad. Given their close relationship, she most likely persuaded him to visit.