Meghan Markle, 39, has shed light on some of the strict rules she had to abide by during her time as a senior member of the Royal Family.
She explained in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey that following all the rules had left her feeling “lonely” and “isolated”.
For example, due to all the media attention, Meghan said she wasn’t even allowed to go for lunch with friends.
Meghan also had to follow strict rules which all members of the Royal Family have to follow – including saying no to taking selfies with fans.
Here is a full list of the rules Prince Harry’s wife had to follow during her time of living in England – and she no longer needs to follow.
Full list of rules Meghan Markle had to follow
No passport
According to Meghan, her passport, driving licence and keys were taken off her when she became a full-time royal.
She said she didn’t see these items until the couple quit the Royal Family and moved to the US last year.
Meghan explained: “When I joined that family, that was the last time – until we came here – that I saw my passport, my driver's licence, my keys.
“All that gets turned over. I didn't see any of that anymore."
Isolation
According to Meghan, her time as part of the Royal Family was deeply lonely and isolating.
She wasn’t even allowed to go for lunch with friends sometimes because she was too heavily covered in the media.
Meghan said she was told to lay low, but she hadn’t even left the house in months.
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No autographs
Meghan was a successful Hollywood actress before marrying into the British royal family, but she wan’t allowed to sign autographs.
Royals are only allowed to sign documents and in some rare cases visitor’s books.
According to Daily Express, this is a safety measure to prevent the Royals’ names from getting forged.
Can’t cross legs
Meghan had to get accustomed to sitting like a Royal, which meant not crossing her legs.
She could either cross her ankles, or sit with her angles and knees together, with legs slanted to one side.
This is known as the Duchess Slant, which both Kate Middleton and Princess Diana utilised.
Curtsy to the Queen
Female members of the Royal Family are expected to curtsy to the Queen when they enter a room – even in an informal occasion.
Even after falling for Harry and heading to England, Meghan said she was unaware she needed to curtsy.
She described to Oprah how Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Fergie taught her the move.
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No personal social media
When Meghan and Harry became official, she had to close down her social media page, as well as her lifestyle blog The Tig.
Meghan and Harry started their own official Instagram account called SussexRoyal in April 2019 to document the work they did.
Can’t choose seat at dinner parties
At dinner parties Meghan didn’t have the freedom to choose her seat. She had to sit next to her husband Harry.
No selfies
Meghan’s celebrity status meant she was probably used to her fans asking for selfies with her.
But as a Royal she was required to say no to anyone who asked for one.
The rule was created to encourage people to make eye contact and make conversation with Royals.
Taking selfies would mean turning their backs to them.
No PDA
It’s recommended that Royals avoid Public Displays of Affected (PDA) as much as possible.
Harry and Meghan have been known to break this rule on multiple occasions.
But now they have quit the Royal Family they can hold hands and kiss in public as much as they want.
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Strict dress code
The Queen disapproves of hemlines higher than an inch or two above the knee, so miniskirts were out of the question.
Women are also expected to wear tights and heels (but not wedges because the Queen reportedly hates them).
The Queen also reportedly dislikes dark nail colour, so it’s expected a Royal would wear light nail varnish.
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No travelling without mourning clothes
Royals have to travel with an all-black outfit, or mourning clothes, in case a family member dies while they are away.
This rule was put in place after the then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were on holiday in Africa in 1952 when King George VI died.
They had to travel back home in regular clothes because they didn’t bring black clothing with them.
Leave the table discreetly
If a Royal has to go to the bathroom during a meal, they are not supposed to announce it to the dinner table.
Instead, they are expected to simply say “excuse me”, and slip away.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Watch the full interview on ITV at 9pm on Monday night and on ITV Hub, Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS'
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