Meghan Markle Just Did the One Thing That Kate Middleton Would Never Be Caught Doing

Meghan Markle bid adieu to royal life when she stepped down as a senior working royal in 2020. Since then, she has enjoyed the freedom to pursue business ventures and candidly share her experiences in interviews. In her recent appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Markle confidently embraced a makeup-free look. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton, who is still a working royal, is expected to maintain a polished and non-gaudy appearance at all public events.

Markle marked her first-ever podcast presence on April 28, dressed in casual sweatpants. Her look was a striking departure from her chic and restrained style. She even addressed her laid-back appearance when she read out a letter from her children on the podcast. As per The London Standard, Markle read, “From Archie and Lili via Papa…We love your pancakes and we love, love, love your hugs. You're the best mummy and we love you.” She held back her tears and quipped, “I wasn't expecting this, they're just so great. This is why it's so nice to have no makeup on, thank you.”

The Duchess of Sussex spoke candidly about the unrealistic beauty standards that women are often pressured to meet. She added, “We spend so much of our lives trying to prove something. To prove that you're enough. You have to prove that you're pretty enough. You have to prove that you're smart enough.” Given the heavily regimented expectations within the royal family when it comes to one's appearance in public, the Princess of Wales, unfortunately, cannot follow in Markle’s footsteps. As protocol dictates, Middleton is always required to wear makeup during public engagements. Beauty expert Saffron Hughes told Hello! magazine, “From dress codes to etiquette rules, the royal family is mindful of the high standards that have been set for them. The Princess of Wales has perfected her execution of approaching beauty, even when following The Firm's set rules and regulations.”

As reported by Nicki Swift, all female royal family members cannot wear makeup that's too colorful, gaudy, or attention-grabbing. Middleton's makeup artist, Sarah Egan, revealed to Byrdie, “She uses a mix of neutral eyeshadows, paired with eyeliner and mascara. Sometimes, she’ll even add a pop of color in her waterline or eyeshadow…Her lipsticks are typically pink or nude tones with a slight glossy finish.”

The only time Middleton broke a royal beauty protocol was when she wore a bright red lip gloss during the Christmas Carol Service in December 2021. She has otherwise religiously stuck to only wearing nude or pink lipsticks, much like her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. Reportedly, the late Queen preferred female royals to avoid bright makeup, favoring simplicity and modesty at public events. She also expected them to keep nails short, avoid dark nail polish, and never touch up makeup in public.