Prince Harry proudly proclaimed his fiancée Meghan Markle is “capable of anything” and as preparations get underway for their 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle, behind the scenes you can bet your fine china that the baptism of royal fire has already begun for the 36-year-old, so here’s hoping he’s right!
Just last week the royal-in-waiting got straight to work, stepping out with her fiancé on their first joint engagement to mark World AIDS Day in Nottingham, England.
Meghan Markle
And even the harshest of critics were impressed by Meghan’s first day on the job, praising the American actress for her natural ability around people.
But a royal walkabout is just the tip of the very regal iceberg for what Meghan has to learn.
We speak to the founder of the Australian School of Etiquette, Zarife Hardy, about the fascinating new world of etiquette Meghan Markle is entering…
Team Markle
Kim Kardashian’s glam squad will pale in comparison to the team of experts Meghan will be assigned.
From a press secretary, personal assistant, hair and make-up artists and of course her very own stylist, the royal household is bustling with professionals at the top of their field and on hand 24-7 to assist with their designated family member.
But for now Meghan is keeping her original stylist from Canada, Jessica Mulroney.
Founder of the Australian School of Etiquette, Zarife Hardy
“I’m sure a royal stylist will come in eventually,” Zarife predicts.
“She will be getting the same advisers that Harry has and I believe that the gentleman that trained Duchess Catherine will be training her on royal protocol, politics and presentation skills.”
“She’ll be groomed on business decisions, handling the media and obviously for the royal family now, there’s a high-level of training and learning just about security. And she’ll also learn a lot about public speaking, what to do at state banquets and functions. Ultimately Harry, her husband-to-be, will be her biggest mentor!”
WATCH: 10 beauty products Meghan Markle loves! Post continues…
It’s believed Meghan will continue working with her current stylist Jessica Mulroney for now.
How to sit, stand, wave and walk like a proper princess
When you’re a royal, your every move is scrutinised.
For Meghan, Zarife says one of the most crucial parts of her royal training will be how she conducts herself in public.
Her best tip for good posture when you’re sitting down?
“You have to pretend there is an egg behind your bottom and that’s how far you’re off the back of a chair so you sit upright,” Zarife notes.
Us mere mortals wouldn’t think twice when we get out of a car, but for a royal in a dress it can spell disaster.
This royal knows exactly how to exit a car with no wardrobe malfunctions!
Flashing one’s knickers is very un-lady like indeed! But never fear, because the “swivel and pop” is here to save the day.
“The “swivel and pop” as they get out of a car is a great manoeuvre because obviously the media is always waiting at the door. So they’re trained on how to swivel out of the car with their legs close together and they stand nice and tall,” Zarife explains.
“In relations to their legs, the knees should never be crossed! Which Meghan has been doing a lot of. Knees must always be together, the “Duchess Slant” at they call it, and placed to the side or straight down in front,” our etiquette guru says.
Behold! The Duchess slant in all its glory.
One gesture Meghan needs to work on is her royal wave, which is apparently a bit too eager at the moment.
“She’ll obviously be taught more on the royal wave, it’s a bit gregarious right now and needs to be more fine-tuned. And also just that art of meeting and greeting. Looking someone in the eye, a nice firm handshake, no more than two pumps and a lovely warm smile.”
Another big no-no for royals is agreeing to a selfie – this is something Meghan has already mastered after she politely declined one with a fan in Nottingham, revealing: “we’re not allowed.”
“In the age of the digital era, there is a very big rule on absolutely no selfies. It’s just not allowed! They just don’t know where it will go,” Zarife cautions.
Meghan still needs to work on her royal wave.
Goodbye to the California twang
She was born and raised as a California girl but our etiquette expert predicts Meghan will eventually lose her Cali twang and adopt a British accent.
“I think that American accent will definitely be refined. Changing accents takes a long time but you’ve only got to look at Princess Mary to see how her Australian accent vanished,” Zarife points out.
“She’ll have to become a little more British and will be in elocution classes as well as history classes to brush up on the rich tapestry of the Royal Family,” she adds.
“She’ll have to become a little more British.”
Fashion rules
Megs can kiss goodbye to her ripped jeans and black dresses as her style will get the full royal overhaul.
WATCH: Meghan Markle’s style transformation. Post continues…
Meghan can kiss goodbye to thigh-high splits, fur and ripped jeans.
“The royal dress code generally includes dresses below the knee, dresses must have a sleeve. Preferably no black, unless attending a funeral or memorial service,” Zarife explains.
“Hats and gloves are also encouraged and they also like a clutch because it helps for better posture.”
Midriff tops are also a big no-no.
Take note, Meghan! Princess Diana was a huge fan of the clutch and would hold the bag over her cleavage when she was getting out of a car to protect herself from prying paparazzi.
Being in the presence of The Queen and other royals
We know from her Yoga-loving days just how bendy the Suits beauty is and it looks like that skill is going to come in handy with this exciting next chapter.
“She will have to always curtsy to The Queen and she will learn the art of that, which is one foot behind the other and the deep and the longer you stay down shows more respect so she will have to always curtsey to The Queen,” Zarife says.
Meghan shows off one of her very impressive one-legged backward bends.
Duchess Catherine curtsies to The Queen.
“Until she becomes Harry’s wife, she will have to curtsy to any royal that has a title that’s royal-blooded so she will have to learn the art of the curtsy very quickly.”
“She’ll also be trained on table etiquette. When you dine and eat with the monarch, you must start eating when she starts and you must finish when she finishes.”
“There’s lots of detailing around that she’ll have to learn as well.”
WATCH: Royal butler Grant Harrold on the art of the curtsy. Post continues…
Harry’s bride-to-be will be given a crash course on royal dining.
Here comes the royal bride
As we count down the seconds until May, 2018, Zarife tells us royal weddings have changed drastically over the past few centuries.
But there’s a few touching traditions that are still used to this day.
“Queen Victoria was the first woman to start the white wedding dress. She wore it on her wedding day to Prince Albert in 1840, so now every bride wears a white dress because of her. Prior to that it was more ivory or cream.”
“There’s another beautiful tradition she started of myrtle of being in the bouquet because it represents true love. That’s been handed down, so now every royal bride now has always had a bag of myrtle in their bouquet.”
And royal watchers will be thrilled to know Meghan will be rocking a tiara when she ties the knot with Harry.
Queen Victoria started the trend of white wedding dresses.
“Catherine borrowed The Queen’s Cartier Halo tiara in 2011 when she married William, so I imagine Meghan will also borrow one of The Queen’s pieces,” Zarife says.
As for the dress?
“It will definitely have a train, all royal brides have a train. I think it will be relatively fitted, probably with sleeves and it will be something very, very elegant because she’ll be re-branding very quickly.”
We can’t wait to see Meghan on her big day!
Can Meghan Markle ever act again?
She’s been the Deal or no Deal briefcase babe, starred in a slew of cringe-worthy tele-movies and of course, her breakout role as Rachel Zane on Suits.
So will Meghan ever be able to return to her first love of acting?
“I don’t think so. I think Meghan’s played a variety of roles and no one goes into this position not being aware of what has to happen. I think she’ll take it all on the chin. She looks like she’s well and truly ready for it. She’s 36 years of age, I do think she’ll take on the role as best she can,” Zarife thinks.
“I think we’ll see a modern Diana.”
The future looks bright for Meghan and Zarife believes the “Markle Sparkle”, as it’s been dubbed, will reach soaring heights.
“I think we’ll see a modern Diana. I think she’ll be a very proactive humanitarian and women’s rights campaigner championing women and lives of girls and I think we’ll see a her very involved.”
“I also think you’ll see a baby in a short period of time and she’ll role into that job of motherhood quite quickly!”
