Meghan Markle took on the role of a lifetime when she married Prince Harry and joined the Royal Family.
In May 2018, the former Suits actress tied the knot in front of 29.19 million viewers and was quickly plunged into the confusing world of royal protocols.
While before she never had to think twice about what colour her nails were or whether she should wear tights, suddenly every choice she made was a matter of concern to the public.
Here, Fabulous takes a look at five times Meghan broke royal protocol…
She Wore Black to Royal Engagements
Part of being in the Royal Family means you must dress appropriately for official engagements and events.
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to what you can and can’t wear, there are unspoken expectations.
Black, for example, is only worn at evening events or during periods of mourning.
Meghan has broken this tradition on many occasions, including at the WellChild Awards in 2018 as she donned an all-black suit.
According to colour psychologist Karen Haller, this is likely an entirely conscious decision.
She told Fabulous: "Whilst black has many different traits, looking at these specific events she attended they all have one thing in common.
"The occasions when she is choosing to wear black suggest she isn’t seeking to be the centre of attention. She is OK with being in the background."
Meghan Ditched the Tights
When Meghan and Harry announced their engagement in November 2017, the couple looked happier than ever.
Posing for photos at Kensington Palace, they held hands and showed off her diamond ring for the world’s press.
But one thing appeared to be missing – her tights. Despite the chilly London weather, Meghan opted to go bare-legged, which is against royal fashion protocol.
Victoria Arbiter told Insider that The Queen believes all Royal women should wear nude tights for public appearances.
She and Harry Married on a Saturday
Getting married on a weekend is completely normal and expected for the average couple as it means guests often don’t need to take time off work to attend.
But the Royal Family has a tradition in place that sees the majority of weddings take place on a weekday.
For context, Prince William and Kate Middleton married on Friday 29 April 2011, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II married on Thursday 20 November 1947, and her parents King George VI and The Queen Mother married on Thursday 26 April 1923.
There is no confirmed reason for the weekday approach, but it is believed that it’s done in a bid not to disrupt the church’s scheduled hours of worship over the weekend.
Despite this tradition, Harry and Meghan opted to tie the knot on Saturday 19 May 2018.
She Skipped the Hospital Photocall
Following all three of Kate Middleton’s births, she walked out onto the steps of St. Mary’s Hospital’s Lindo Wing to do a photocall.
When Princes William and Harry were both born, Princess Diana also did a Lindo Wing shoot for the press.
But Meghan and Harry opted to skip this tradition, instead celebrating the arrival of their son Archie in 2019 privately before posing for photos on 8 May.
And when their daughter Lilibet was born in 2021, they only released a photo of her in a Christmas card.
Archie’s Private Christening and Outfit
After skipping the photocall following little Archie’s birth, they decided to take the same approach to his christening by having it media-free and with just 25 guests.
And while it appears her outfit was in line with what past royal mothers have worn, she veered away from tradition in one specific way: the brand.
Typically, UK labels are worn for a christening within the Royal Family. Kate Middleton, for example, wore Alexander McQueen to all three of her children’s baptism ceremonies.
But Meghan donned a gown by French fashion house Dior, breaking this tradition.
What other major royal traditions and protocols have you noticed Meghan break?
