It's pretty spectacular to realize how much Meghan Markle's life has changed in the last year. In September 2017, she was just beginning to open up about her relationship with Prince Harry. They made their first public appearance together just after Meghan spoke to Vanity Fair about how happy she was with Harry. She was also still a working actress with a highly successful role as Rachel Zane on USA's series Suits. She was hanging out with her friends around Los Angeles and Toronto, updating her Instagram with pictures of her life and cute dogs — all the kinds of things you'd expect from a young, fabulous actress.
Fast-forward a year, and Meghan has taken on a whole new role: the Duchess of Sussex. A full-on member of the royal family, Meghan is settling into married life with Harry and learning the ropes of life as a royal. While Meghan seems both happy to have made the change and more in love with Harry than ever, she does miss facets of her old life. To feel at home and live a normal life, Meghan's been taking opportunities to move around London unnoticed.
Most people who get a taste of the spotlight crave more in the aftermath, but Meghan Markle isn't like most.
She's had more than her fair share of the limelight, even before being married to Prince Harry. Now it's a different focus, one with undoubtedly more pressure.
Meghan has had to say goodbye to signing autographs and taking selfies as she's stepped into her role as the Duchess of Sussex.
By all accounts, Meghan's integration into royal life has gone wonderfully. She's a charming woman who connects with people and has a sincere interest in philanthropic pursuits.
While she's excelling at being a royal, that doesn't mean that Meghan doesn't occasionally miss her old life.
A source has recently disclosed to People that Meghan does occasionally get out on her own in London, but she goes through great measures to do so unnoticed.
Reports say that Harry and Meghan spend a lot of downtime at their country home in the Cotswolds to escape the hustle and bustle of royal life.
When Meghan does step out in London, she relies on hats to keep her from being noticed. The source claims, "When she does venture out to Pilates or to get her hair done, she normally goes incognito under a baseball cap."
And there's one place in London that Meghan can't help but dip out to every now and again: Whole Foods.
According to People's source, "the only other place she has visited regularly is Whole Foods, which is little more than five minutes away from Kensington Palace."
The proximity to Kensington Palace makes matters a little easier for Meghan. "She can quickly sneak in and out without anyone noticing it’s her," the source revealed.
There's been a lot of media attention surrounding Meghan, whose family has made headlines for leveling attacks at the royal family and claiming they have no access to her.
It's understandable that Meghan could want some normalcy in the face of all the change that's happened in her life.
Next month sees Harry and Meghan heading to Australia to tour the country and take in the Invictus Games.
We totally understand Meghan's need to step out and get lost in a crowd once in a while. We hope that her incognito getaways bring her some peace and quiet amid the chaos that is life as a royal.
