Meghan Markle is just one of the celebrities often seen breezing in and out of gyms, coffee shops, and boutique studios like it’s no big deal, but according to a new profile, even laid-back locals are raising their brows at Markle’s latest bit of royal flair. The Duchess of Sussex, who has made California her home base since stepping back from royal duties, is now making headlines for something surprisingly small but undeniably dramatic.
In a Harper’s Bazaar feature written by Kaitlyn Greenidge, one curious detail slipped into the article has set California gossip circles spinning. Greenidge notes that staff announce Meghan as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” whenever she enters a room. And according to one insider, this royal-adjacent introduction isn’t reserved for ballrooms or charity galas (via Rob Shutter). “If there’s a doorway, a hallway, or a yoga mat — trust me — someone is whispering the title first,” the source remarked. The idea of someone needing a title roll call before stepping onto a yoga mat is very Hollywood, but also very extra.
Meghan Markle’s Everyday California Title Request Is Rubbing Some The Wrong Way
Though Greenidge’s profile is overwhelmingly flattering, that single line about her introduction landed like a PR needle scratching across a record. Meghan’s supporters might insist it’s all protocol that she’s simply using the title she earned. Critics, however, would likely be quick to suggest it’s less about decorum and more about theatrics.
Fashion insiders appear to be having the most fun with the revelation. Some reportedly joked that Meghan seems more committed to the title than any magazine cover she’s rumored to want. One editor even quipped, “Forget Vogue. The only cover she wants is the one where she gets introduced as ‘The Duchess’ on loop.” And then came the line that really sent the discourse spinning: “Even at the gym and Starbucks she insists on being introduced at The Duchess.”
Is She Taking The Duchess Thing Too Far?
While no one is accusing Meghan of literally making a barista announce her royal ranking when her latte is ready, the implication is clear. Her title follows her through California everywhere she goes. And in a state where billionaires line up for smoothies in flip-flops and Oscar winners walk their dogs without security detail, the ritual stands out.
Still, Meghan Markle has always had a complicated relationship with both fame and formality. She’s part Hollywood, part royalty, part influencer, and part activist, a blend that doesn’t follow traditional rules and doesn’t fit neatly inside any box. For some in California, that mix makes her fascinating. For others, it makes her an easy target.
Kenna Raye 
