Meghan Markle Calls Out 'Inauthentic' Royal Rule: 'I Had To Wear Nude Pantyhose All The Time'

Meghan Markle opened up about feeling "inauthentic" as a working royal due to the strict rules, such as wearing nude tights, which contrasts with the freedom she now enjoys.

While promoting season two of her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan," she said the show allows her to live authentically. Fans praised the new season as wholesome and joyful, but UK critics dismissed it as "self-indulgent" and "contrived."

Insiders have also claimed that Meghan Markle's cooking show underperformed and may not be renewed, although a holiday special is scheduled for December.

Meghan has offered fresh insight into her time as a working royal, suggesting that the rigid expectations left her feeling disconnected from her true self.

In a recent sit-down with Bloomberg's Emily Chang, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, reflected on the small but telling details of royal life, including the requirement to wear nude tights during public appearances.

Meghan admitted the rule "felt a little bit inauthentic", explaining, "It was different several years ago where I couldn't be as vocal and I had to wear nude pantyhose all the time. Let's be honest, that was not very myself. I hadn't seen pantyhose since the movies in the 1980s."

Meghan, who relocated to California with Prince Harry after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, contrasted that experience with the freedom she feels now.

While speaking about the second season of her Netflix lifestyle series, "With Love, Meghan," she said the show allows her to be herself.

"When you want to dress the way you want to dress and say the things that are true and you're able to show up in that space really organically and authentically — that's being comfortable in your own skin," Meghan explained.

She added, "Right now, I don't feel that I need to prove anything."

Meghan's remarks followed the release of eight new episodes of "With Love, Meghan," which continued the format of its first season, featuring hosting tips, at-home rituals, and candid conversations.

The new season also welcomes familiar faces, including Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, and Jay Shetty, as well as other close friends of the Duchess of Sussex.

On social media, viewers were quick to share their love for the show.

One fan on X admitted they couldn't understand the backlash: "Even if my life depended on it, I just can't figure out why people hate Meghan so much! Season 2 of #WithLoveMeghan is even better and more wholesome than the first! Love it!!"

Another described binge-watching the new season with pure joy: "Honestly, #withloveMeghan season 2 is the best. From episode 1-6. It is just fun, fun, fun. I have been smiling, laughing, and blushing at the same time! It's that good! It's 8 pm, and the lights are off just to have my moments with the show!"

While royal fans seem to love it, the second season of "With Love, Meghan" didn't land any softer with critics, drawing another round of harsh reviews.

The Sun's royal editor, Matt Wilkinson, branded the project "self-indulgent," while The Guardian blasted it as "painfully contrived."

The Times of London was equally cutting, describing the new episodes as "a series in search of a meaning, fronted by a woman in need of some cash."

The Telegraph, on their part, gave the series just two stars, dismissing it as "needy" and only "marginally less mad" than Meghan's debut season.

Celebrity chef Jameson Stocks, who has cooked for the royal family in the past, weighed in, telling the New York Post he struggled to last more than a couple of minutes before turning it off.

"I tried to keep an open mind, hoping it might be an improvement on the first series. But just two minutes in, I was already done with this bullsh-t," the 41-year-old said.

Stocks also suggested that Meghan abandon her on-screen kitchen antics altogether, as he found them "rather insincere," adding that she should "stick to acting."

Meanwhile, a source tells Parade that "With Love, Meghan" may not be meeting expectations.

"People who worked on the show don't think it will be picked up for another season," the insider said. "It's not doing well or what the network would have hoped it would do." The source added bluntly: "It's not the success they wanted it to be."

Last month, another insider revealed to the publication that the duchess is also struggling in the lifestyle arena.

"Meghan has been trying to get a lot of brands to partner with her and work with her, but she's been getting turned down. It's been a lot harder for her than she thought it would be," the source claimed.

While Netflix has yet to announce the show's future, a holiday special is set to debut this December.