Meghan was a 24-carat celebrity when she was a member of the British Royals, writes RICHARD EDEN. Now she looks more like the ‘wannabe starlet’ she was before

Meghan Markle now looks more like a Hollywood ‘wannabe’ than a member of the Royal Family, says Richard Eden.

Writing in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter, Eden suggests that, in moving away from Britain, the Duchess of Sussex has turned her back on a life of genuine celebrity. 

And that success no longer lies within her own hands.

‘While the Princess of Wales stole the show in a striking scarlet cape coat as she greeted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol at the start of his state visit to Britain, Meghan was courting the cameras on a red carpet in Los Angeles,’ he writes.

While Kate stole the show in London, Meghan was appearing at an LA gala 

Catherine, Princess of Wales, accompanies hoo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister of South Korea, at the state banquet

‘The contrast was striking. Members of the Royal Family walk down a red carpet when the other guests at a film premiere or theatrical first night have already taken their seats.

‘But here was Meghan, who would have joined Catherine at the opulent state banquet at Buckingham Palace, instead walking down the carpet at the Power Of Women event.’

Unaccompanied by Prince Harry, writes Eden, Meghan ‘couldn’t have looked less regal… just another celebrity waiting to be interviewed by a reporter for Variety magazine.

‘She posed for photographers like the wannabe starlet she once was, before being rushed along impatiently by another guest.

‘Her interview emphasised that success is no longer in her own hands.

‘She talked about the unnamed “exciting” new projects that her television company, Archewell Productions, “can’t wait to announce”.

Meghan couldn’t have looked less regal as she appeared at the Variety Power of Women event, writes Eden

The Duchess finds herself interrupted at she poses for photographs

‘But if and when she does announce them will depend entirely on their paymasters at Netflix.’

It is all rather different from her brief time as a working royal, he writes – a time when the stars would line up to meet her, not the other way round.

‘Has there been any week in which it was demonstrated more vividly what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex threw away when they quit royal duties in 2020 to “find freedom” and find a fortune?’

To read more of Richard’s expert Royal commentary, click here