Meghan Markle 'following in Princess Diana's footsteps after turbulent few years'

Meghan Markle 'wanted to follow in Princess Diana's footsteps' when she joined the Royal Family, according to an expert. The former actress first started dating Prince Harry in 2016.

The couple were engaged for less than a year before they wed in a lavish ceremony at Windsor. Meghan was already known by many for her role in US legal drama Suits but her relationship with Prince Harry catapulted her to the world's stage.

Body language expert Darren Stanton believes Meghan felt a connection to Harry's late mother, who also experienced being pushed into the limelight when she married Prince Charles in 1981. Mum-of-two Meghan even wanted to follow in late Diana's footsteps, he said.

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Mr Stanton said the Duchess of Sussex 'represents a lot of strength' within the Royal Family, Mirror reports. He told Betfair: "When Meghan was first brought into the Royal Family, it elevated her status to a global scale.

"She holds great precedence with Princess Diana. She represents a lot of strength in first joining the Royal Family and then stepping away.

"She followed her heart and what she cared about over everything else. There are lots of parallels between them and I get a sense Meghan wanted to follow in her footsteps.

"They both share a passion and drive to help others." The Duchess of Sussex announced her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard in a series of Instagram posts last month.

American Riviera Orchard will be selling homewares, table linen, cookbooks and jams, jellies and nut butters, all devised by Meghan herself. Mr Stanton said Meghan - who is mother to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - has finally found the 'right path' for herself.

It is clear she is 'comfortable in her own skin and feels 'good about herself', he added. He said: "It’s a natural transition for her to embark on.

"It’s been a turbulent few years, but now she’s returning with a purpose that gives her fulfilment - and has found her feet with finding the right path she wants to go down."