Meghan Markle can break all the royal protocols she wants

Meghan Markle is a Duchess and a fashion icon… and we for one wish these two worlds could co-exist without all the “royal protocol” fuss.

Right now, do a Google search for “Meghan Markle breaks…” and you’ll find hundreds of pieces about all the royal “protocols” and “traditions” she is breaking. Really, who does this commoner think she is, not consulting a dusty rule book every time she dons a piece of clothing? Will England survive this radical lunatic?

You know what, no need for the Google search. Here’s a quick rundown of all the careless and reckless mistakes Meghan Markle has committed this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 09: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex head back down the Mall to Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 9, 2018 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen’s actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Pantyhose! Markle chose to forgo pantyhose on more than one occasion. She has even been seen wearing a dress above the knees (gasp).

Exposing her shoulders! Markle did just that in a pink dress while headed to the Trouping the Colour festivities.

Childbirth! Markle and husband Prince Harry reportedly discussed options regarding Markle’s upcoming childbirth (how dare they) instead of just assuming they would choose the Lindo Wing at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital. 

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 30: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison by providing special mentoring schemes in Auckland on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Jason Dorday – Pool/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle is even catching shade for something every pregnant woman does well before they are showing to even after they give birth, touching her own belly. Add all of this with the fact the new Duchess of Sussex holds hands with her husband and speaks for herself, and we have a wild card on our hands.

Honestly, this woman can’t do anything correctly, can she? She has walked, stood, looked, smiled, closed a door, autographed, selfied, and even sat wrong. 

There is so much more but I’m done running it all over again.

I’m done reading about it. I’m done ignoring the people who seem to care about it, too. And the writer in me is also just sick of the overused phrase “Markle breaks royal protocol.”

Meghan Markle’s journey to marrying into the British royal family is incredible, and don’t get me wrong, I’d love to be a duchess too. I am not for a second saying the Duchess of Sussex thing isn’t great or isn’t feminist or isn’t important. But as a fellow American, I am frustrated by so many of the “rules” she seems to be breaking; they’re not intuitive and in many ways, unfair to expect one to know or follow so quickly (and arguably unfair to expect one to follow at all).

Of course, as a world figure now at the side of Prince Harry, one could argue Meghan Markle has a responsibility to uphold family traditions. But can we focus on the more substantial traditions and responsibilities of a modern royal?

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and kitchen co-ordinator Zaheera Sufyaan as she visits the Hubb Community Kitchen to see how funds raised by the ‘Together: Our Community’ Cookbook are making a difference at Al Manaar, North Kensington on November 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Markle is a philanthropist, feminist, and has used her public life to spread messages of empowerment and support for women. For example, she connected with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen and supported victims of the Grenfell Tower Fire by publishing Together: Our Community Cookbook. 

And yes, alongside her charitable work, Markle has become a major fashion icon. Even her nose has a fan base. Let’s be honest, who hasn’t tried to mimic her style, as best they can in their respective price ranges. But as much we love her fashion — both the traditional looks she dons and the rules she supposedly breaks — we know there’s so much more to Markle than that.

Photo Credit: Tristan Fewings/BFC

Which is why it is so frustrating when inspiring moments of hers are overshadowed by meaningless nonsense. For example, when Meghan Markle took the stage at the British Fashion Awards, she spoke about women’s empowerment from the heart.

“As all of you in this room know, we have a deep connection to what we wear… for me this connection is rooted in, really, being able to understand that it’s about supporting and empowering each other, especially as women.”

That quote was so meaningful, so impactful, so beautiful. But of course, the focus turned quickly from her inspiring words to… her nail polish. Her royal protocol-breaking nail polish.

What’s the purpose here? What can we gain from constantly calling out a woman for breaking old-fashioned rules?

We are often discussing how princess culture (especially Disney) has warped our minds as young girls, but even when we think of princesses, we are thinking far more of freedom and power than we are of constant, nagging rules. There is no princess (or duchess), real or imaginary, who is beloved for all her rule-following and perfect decorum.

We remember those who inspire, the trailblazers, the charitable, the strong-willed, and yes even the fashion forward. We shouldn’t cast this aside for headlines and stories that are banal and uninteresting.

Next time you see that “Meghan Markle breaks…” headline — don’t click. Instead, focus on the changes she’s making for herself, for her home country and new country, and for women everywhere. That’s where our focus should be (and not on a change of nail polish).