Duchess Meghan is different from other royals — and she shows it again in a podcast appearance where she goes makeup-free.
While most royals are typically seen perfectly styled, Duchess Meghan sets herself apart from her blue-blooded relatives. The 43-year-old, who stepped back from royal duties alongside her husband Prince Harry, 40, in 2020, now appears in a black sweater, white sneakers, and no makeup at all.
Meghan appears on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast. Entrepreneur and podcaster Jamie Kern Lima explained in an Instagram clip that the two decided to record the episode “the way we spend most of our time together” — unfiltered, in sweatshirts, sitting comfortably in rocking chairs.
Everything About Meghan’s Look Seems Casual — Except the Shoes
At first glance, Meghan’s outfit screams “Casual Duchess.” But that first impression is misleading. Though the sweatshirt — customized with her children’s initials from the brand Club Chainstitch — costs around €70, and the sporty pants just €40, both of which are far from luxury designer pricing, not all of Meghan’s outfit is within reach. What’s barely visible in the podcast video and only subtly noticeable in photos are her white sneakers by Freda Salvador — and those are far from a bargain.
These simple white shoes with light lambskin lining cost around €310. Just minutes after the podcast aired, they were sold out. With this single piece, the overall outfit triples in value. That makes Meghan’s look less casual — but she remains a fashion inspiration as always. Some call it “needlessly overpriced,” others say it’s “pretty stylish.”
Duchess Meghan: “That’s Why It’s So Nice Not to Wear Makeup”
When Meghan talks about her children with Harry — Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3 — tears begin to flow. “That’s why it’s so nice not to wear makeup,” she laughs. She then shares her exhaustion with what she calls the “proving game.”
“We spend so much of our lives trying to prove something,” Meghan explains. “Proving that you’re enough. You have to prove you’re pretty enough. You have to prove you’re smart enough. You have to prove you’re a good wife, a good friend.” At some point, she says, she just got tired of the “proving game.”
It can be liberating to stop playing that game and to realize: “I don’t have to prove anything to you. I don’t have to prove that I’m a good person. I don’t have to prove that I’m a good wife, mother, or friend. I don’t have to prove that I work hard.” Reaching that point, in her experience, takes time — and a lot of pain.
Meghan clarifies she’s not talking about an “I don’t care” attitude or apathy. “It’s not that I don’t care — I just don’t have to prove it to you. And if you can’t see it, I don’t have to prove why that’s your loss. Because I know I’m a great friend. And I know what kind of mother I am. And I know the kind of person I am.”
Instagram Users Remain Skeptical
Podcast fans freely shared their opinions in the comments. One user wrote: “This is the person Meghan has always been, the one we fell in love with all those years ago.” It’s her naturalness that wins people over. But others see “inauthenticity,” with one user noting: “It seems like she’s trying to please everyone,” and another adding, “Nothing she says or does feels genuine.”
No Title, No Markle, and No Memoir for Now
Meghan also revealed that she stopped using her maiden name, Markle, long ago. “No, not since I got married,” she said. Prince Harry’s busy wife also mentioned she might write another book — having published her children’s book The Bench in 2021. However, she’s far from working on a memoir, suggesting she’s too young for that right now. And despite ongoing speculation, she has no political ambitions. “No. Never,” Meghan said. “No, I’m not interested.”
