Prince Harry once warned Meghan Markle about posing for a photograph in front of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, in a move which he said left her “baffled”.
In the early days of their relationship Meghan went on a humanitarian trip to India with the charity World Vision, with the aim of promoting menstrual healthcare and education for young girls.
The Prince explained in his memoir Spare how he told her not to take a picture sitting on the bench in front of the Taj Mahal, as he did not want people to think she was mimicking his mother Princess Diana.
The late Princess was famously pictured sitting alone on the bench during a tour of India in 1992, an image which became symbolic of the breakdown of her marriage.
At the time that image was taken, in February 1992, she was already living a separate life from her husband, then-Prince Charles, as she stayed at Kensington Palace while he preferred to spend time at his home Highgrove, in Gloucestershire.
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Just ten months after the Taj Mahal picture was taken, Charles and Diana formally announced that they had separated.
In Spare Harry recalls his discussion with his future wife: “Do not take a photo in front of the Taj Mahal. She’d asked why and I’d said: My mum.
“I’d explained that my mother had posed for a photo there, and it had become iconic, and I didn’t want anyone thinking Meg was trying to mimic my mother. Meg had never heard of this photo, and found the whole thing baffling, and I loved her for being baffled.”
Meghan celebrated turning 42 on August 4, and while she likely spent the day quietly with her family she has recently been pictured enjoying a day out with friends.
In a rare social media appearance for the Duchess she was seen in a picture with Kadi Lee and Cleo Wade, with the post being shared on the former’s Instagram account, Highbrow Hippie.
It seems as if the group were celebrating Meghan’s birthday, as alongside the picture Kadi wrote: “Belated birthday celebrations with these lovely muses.”
Cleo is a feminist poet and Kadi is a hairdresser to the Hollywood stars, and can now count themselves in the same crowd as Ellen DeGeneres and Serena Williams as friends of Meghan’s.
As well as Meghan, Kadi’s other famous clients include Brad Pitt, Elle Fanning and Gwyneth Paltrow, who has also had dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Duchess has often spoken out about the importance of her female friendships, telling Variety in 2022: “The power of sisterhood and female support can never be underestimated.”
