The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was subject to a formal royal-style announcement during a recent private interview, despite having stepped back from official duties over five years ago. The intriguing detail emerged from a new, wide-ranging conversation with Harper's Bazaar, where the Duchess also opened up about her life in Montecito and the lessons she hopes to impart to her children.
A Gesture of Royal Protocol
Writer Kaitlyn Greenidge set the scene, describing her second meeting with the 43-year-old Duchess at a stylish New York brownstone, the home of an unnamed friend. In her piece for the publication, Greenidge noted that upon her arrival, the house manager formally declared, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex", despite the fact that the two women were seemingly the only other people in the building.
This touch of palace protocol preceded a candid discussion that moved to the second floor via a glass elevator situated in the living room. Their conversation covered Meghan's surprise appearance at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week and her reflections on navigating life and making "mistakes" in the public eye.
Bravery, Business, and Bubbling Jam
A significant part of the interview focused on Meghan's role as a mother to her two children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four. She shared an endearing glimpse into her work-life balance, revealing that her home office is located near the kitchen of their mansion. Lilibet “comes and sits on my lap when I’m in the middle of a meeting, whether it’s about P and L for my brand or it’s about something creative,” Meghan said.
When asked what she hopes her children learn from her work, the Duchess pointed to an unexpected activity: making jam. “I hope they see the value of being brave,” she stated. “They saw it when the jam was just a pot on the stove, bubbling. When you’re young, I think you are a little bit more fearless. As we get older, we lose some of that.”
This sentiment is deeply connected to her successful business venture. Earlier this year, Meghan, who used to make preserves with her grandmother in Tennessee, launched her £6.50 signature raspberry jam as part of the sell-out As Ever range. According to her website, the product was "inspired by the recipe Meghan crafted in her home kitchen".
A Busy Schedule and Upcoming Festive Special
The interview comes at a bustling time for the Duchess. She is preparing for the release of a Christmas special for her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. A new trailer for the show, which is set to premiere on December 3, shows Meghan embracing traditions and finding time to connect with loved ones.
Fans of the series may recall that in a previous episode, Meghan spoke fondly of harvesting berries and making small batches of jam in her kitchen, telling viewers she had saved "one of 50 for my mom." The upcoming festive special promises to continue this personal and relatable narrative as the Duchess continues to build her brand and public presence from her Californian home.
