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Prince Harry's Meghan Markle: The Modern-Day Diana?

Sain April 20, 2025

Let me tell you a story that's been making waves across the globe. When Prince Harry started dating Meghan Markle, a UN Women's Advocate with a heart as big as the royals’, comparisons to his late mother, Princess Diana, were inevitable. But this week, those parallels have grown even more striking with the release of a new biography, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, penned by none other than Andrew Morton. Yes, the very same Morton who wrote the groundbreaking book on Diana's life back in 1992.

Meghan's Journey: From California Girl to Windsor Bride

Morton's book takes us on a journey through Meghan's life, from her childhood in sunny Pasadena, California, to her upcoming nuptials at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. According to Morton, young Meghan admired Princess Diana immensely. So much so, that Diana's biography was a treasured item on her bookshelf. Morton even claims that Meghan aspired to be "Diana 2.0." At the tender age of 16, she and her friends would gather to watch reruns of Charles and Diana’s wedding, only to be heartbroken when news broke of Diana's tragic death in a Paris car crash.

Here's a young Meghan with a friend during her childhood. Can you imagine the little girl who grew up to capture the heart of a prince?

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A Different Kind of Royal: Meghan's Vision

Now, in an interview with Grazia, Morton makes it crystal clear that while Meghan shares Diana's ideals, she’s a different kind of woman altogether. "She’s incredibly smart and knows exactly what she needs to do," Morton shared. "Being a member of the royal family isn’t a sprint—it’s a lifetime commitment. Meghan will take time to carefully consider how she wants to present herself to the world. There’s no question that she’ll focus on women’s issues and be a champion for young women. She wants to make a real difference in the world."

He continued, "Diana was shy and reserved when she first stepped into the spotlight. Her turning point came in 1987 when she courageously shook hands with an AIDS patient—a move that was controversial at the time and frowned upon by the palace. That moment set her on a path of change. But Meghan? She’s been wired for this journey since she was a kid."

A Sea-Change for the British Monarchy

Morton, who gained unparalleled insight into the House of Windsor after winning Diana's trust to pen her shocking "true story" in 1992, is confident that Meghan will bring a seismic shift to the British monarchy. And why wouldn't he know? As Diana's confidante during the most tumultuous period of her life—the collapse of her marriage to Prince Charles—he witnessed firsthand just how challenging life in the royal spotlight can be, not only for Diana but for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. He believes Meghan’s outspoken warmth is going to stir things up in the royal world.

"Traditionally, royal men give the speeches, while royal women are expected to look good in dresses. Meghan’s not going to shy away from speaking in public. She won’t be intimidated or cowed by the royal system. The British public isn’t accustomed to this kind of bold woman joining the royal family," Morton explained.

He elaborated, "Her style is a departure from what we’ve seen before—it’s not so reserved. It's more modern in the sense that women can have it all—they can look fabulous and also speak their minds. That’s what sets her apart. She's already proven herself to be articulate on the podium. A close friend of Meghan’s told me, 'She’s going to bring a lot of diversity and fresh ideas. She’s not just going to blend in with the royals.'"