Meghan Markle may be an actress by training, but what most people forget is that the 38-year-old has only been in the royal spotlight for less than two years. From her age to her background to even her baby bump, critics seem to have (unfairly) left no stone unturned when it comes to backlash against the duchess.
While royal fans have quickly jumped to her defense, her time in the Hollywood spotlight doesn’t measure up in the slightest to the intense media scrutiny and public pressure she faces as a royal. Despite this, Markle hits every royal stride with the same poise, smile as before and almost always, with her hands clasped.
9 PHOTOSMeghan Markle's most glamorous moments as duchessSee GalleryMeghan Markle's most glamorous moments as duchess
Meghan, who had only been named as Duchess hours earlier, wowed in her second bridal gown designed by Stella McCartney. The sleek halter gown was a vast shakeup from her traditional Givenchy wedding gown she donned for the ceremony. 
Prince Harry and Meghan, dressed in Emilia Wickstead, attend a reception at Glencairn, Ireland. 
Duchess Meghan opted for her bespoke designer Givenchy for her first solo appearance as a royal, visiting the Royal Academy of Arts in London. 
Duchess Meghan stuns in Fiji blue Safiyaa cape gown to attend a welcome ceremony hosted by Fiji’s president. 
Meghan looked glamorous as ever in a sleek white gown by Irish designer Theia to attend a black-tie reception with the King and Queen of Tonga.
The Duchess of Sussex attended a reception at Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand, alongside Prince Harry in a black Gabriela Hearst dress and Stuart Weitzman heels. 
Meghan gave off major princess vibes in a beautiful Oscar de la Renta dress to attend the Australian Geographic Society Gala Awards at the famous Shangri-La hotel. 
The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance at London’s Fashion Awards in December 2018 to present Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller with the British Womenswear Designer of the Year award. She was wearing a custom gown by the designer. 
The Duchess of Sussex attended the premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem in support of Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, which helps fight against AIDS in southern Africa. She donned a long-sleeved Roland Mouret gown and Stuart Weitzman heels for the occasion. Up Next
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It’s a go-to pose that body language experts say isn’t just out of habit, but purposeful.
“What happens when you stand a lot? You have a go-to move, something that makes you feel comfortable, and it becomes a habit,” said expert Blanca Cobb to Cosmopolitan. “It becomes part of you, and you don’t think about it anymore—particularly for someone who’s in the spotlight.”
For Meghan, clasping her hands together may serve many purposes, including as protection from the public.
9 PHOTOSMeghan Markle's go-to poseSee GalleryMeghan Markle's go-to pose
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Pippa Middleton in the Royal Box on Centre Court during day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive on the field prior to the start of the first of a two-game series betweenthe New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London on June 29, 2019. – As Major League Baseball prepares to make history in London, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Boston Red Sox coach Alex Cora are united in their desire to make the ground-breaking trip memorable on and off the field. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)(Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – JULY 26:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018 in Windsor, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – JULY 26:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018 in Windsor, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 11:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has a moment of reflection before going to try out an interactive exhibit at EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, that tells the story of the 10 million Irish people who have emigrated across the world during a visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.(Photo by Arthur Edwards – Pool/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JULY 11:Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Croke Park, home of Ireland’s largest sporting organisation, the Gaelic Athletic Association on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.(Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. The 100th birthday of the RAF, which was founded on on 1 April 1918, was marked with a centenary parade with the presentation of a new Queen’s Colour and flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House on July 05, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WIDNES, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II attend a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair will open a road bridge in Widnes and visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)Up Next
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“For Meghan, having that go-to move serves a couple of purposes. It’s almost like an invisible shield—like a barrier to protect herself. Her hands are clasped to give herself some more comfort and certainty when she’s in the spotlight,” she continued to the publication.
As for the Duchess of Cambridge, Blanca believes there’s a “possibility” she worked with a body language coach to perfect her very polished stance. Explained Blanca on Kate, “Her hands aren’t flapping in the wind, she’s holding her hands together. A lot of people will use a body language coach to help them send off an image because they want to be perceived in a certain way.”
For more on Meghan’s most recent work, watch the video above.
22 PHOTOSMeghan and Kate Middleton togetherSee GalleryMeghan and Kate Middleton together
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ride by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge rides by carriage down the Mall during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 08: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge greets Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Westminster Abbey for a Commonwealth day service on March 11, 2019 in London, England. Commonwealth Day has a special significance this year, as 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, with old ties and new links enabling cooperation towards social, political and economic development which is both inclusive and sustainable. The Commonwealth represents a global network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people, a third of the worlds population, of whom 60 percent are under 30 years old. Each year the Commonwealth adopts a theme upon which the Service is based. This years theme A Connected Commonwealth speaks of the practical value and global engagement made possible as a result of cooperation between the culturally diverse and widely dispersed family of nations, who work together in friendship and goodwill. The Commonwealths governments, institutions and people connect at many levels, including through parliaments and universities. They work together to protect the natural environment and the ocean which connects many Commonwealth nations, shore to shore. Cooperation on trade encourages inclusive economic empowerment for all people – particularly women, youth and marginalised communities. The Commonwealths friendly sporting rivalry encourages people to participate in sport for development and peace. (Photo by Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (R) attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 11, 2019. – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Pohle / POOL / AFP)(Photo credit should read RICHARD POHLE/AFP/Getty Images)
Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 11, 2019. – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Pohle / POOL / AFP)(Photo credit should read RICHARD POHLE/AFP/Getty Images)
(L-R) Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), talks with Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) as Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, stand by attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 11, 2019. – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Pohle / POOL / AFP)(Photo credit should read RICHARD POHLE/AFP/Getty Images)
KING’S LYNN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
KING’S LYNN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
KING’S LYNN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
KING’S LYNN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: (L-R) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Centenary Of The Armistice Service at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service at Westminster Abbey marking The Centenary Of WW1 Armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge followed by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after attending a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. The armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiègne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – 11am on the 11th November 1918. This day is commemorated as Remembrance Day with special attention being paid for this years centenary.(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
(L-R) Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain’s Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales leave after attending the wedding of Britain’s Princess Eugenie of York to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on October 12, 2018. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP)(Photo credit should read ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive attend the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York to Jack Brooksbank at at St. George’s Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo byDanny Lawson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage )
TOPSHOT – Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex react as they sit in the Royal box on Centre Court to watch Serbia’s Novak Djokovic play against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the continuation of their men’s singles semi-final match on the twelfth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE(Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage )
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage )
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14:Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2018 in London, England.(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage )
LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 1O:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF)on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)Up Next
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