Prince Harry charmed in Dusseldorf by speaking German and praising their beer before Meghan posed for selfies and chatted with crowds in a royal walkabout on the latest leg of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe.

The couple, who are staying at Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, are in Dusseldorf for the launch of the Invictus Games 2023, the Paralympic-style event for servicemen and women founded by the prince. 

Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they arrived in the city’s main square where hundreds of royal fans stood for over two hours in the stifling heat to see them promote the games exactly a year before it is due to start next September. 

And the event had many of the hallmarks of a royal visit despite the couple being classed as private citizens rather than royals by German police – including meeting the crowds outside, some of whom were waving the British flag.

Meghan and Harry met fans with the Duchess of Sussex posing for selfie-after-selfie with well-wishers.  She spoke to Maureen and Karl Heinz Kenpen who had stood at the front for over two hours Maureen 83, told Meghan she was English and had moved to Germany to marry.

Meghan told the couple: ‘That is a beautiful love story.’

Earlier, inside the town hall, Harry opened his speech with a few words of German and wiped his brow to applause as he smiled in relief, adding: ‘That’s about where it stops.’

He also jokingly asked the people at the small reception whether the beer in Dusseldorf was better than in Cologne, to applause and nods of yes from those in attendance.

Marking the official One Year To Go event, he said: ‘It is my absolute honour, along with my wife, to invite the people of Germany to officially start the countdown to next September.’

He encouraged everyone to ‘lead with our hearts and, most of all, enjoy the ride ahead’.

Meghan takes selfies with well-wishers outside the town hall during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 – One Year To Go event

Harry also joined in the fun – shaking hands with the crowds in the centre of Dusseldorf

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex takes selfies with well-wishers outside the town hall during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 – One Year To Go events

Meghan spent several minutes speaking to people, many of them young women, who had waited for hours to see her

Meghan was also handed flowers in a meet-and-greet that looked just like a royal tour event

The Duchess speaks to a young girl and also cooed over a baby in Dusseldorf today

The Duchess of Sussex was  all smiles for another selfie at an event with all the hallmarks of a royal visit

Meghan and Harry head out of the town hall to meet the crowds

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attending a lunch reception during the One Year to Go event

Meghan shakes hands as she and Harry and Prince Harry visit the city as ambassador for the Invictus games, a week-long games for active servicemen and veterans who are ill, injured or wounded

Meghan Markle wears Princess Diana’s £17,800 Cartier watch, a £5,000 Cartier bangle and £2,600 gold tennis bracelet as she joins Prince Harry in Dusseldorf 

Meghan Markle dazzled in an array of luxury jewellery as she joined her husband Prince Harry in Dusseldorf for an Invictus Games event today.

Dressed in a £245 cream knitted vest from LA-based designer Anine Bing, the Duchess of Sussex, 41, added a touch of glitz to her ensemble with her late mother-in-law Princess Diana‘s £17,800 gold Cartier Tank watch.

She also sported her £5,000 Cartier Love bangle, that she’s owned since at least 2017, as well as her £271,000 engagement ring – which she is thought to have teamed with a $3,000 mini gold tennis bracelet designed by Jennifer Meyer. 

Mother-of-two Meghan completed her look – which included a pair of £1,040 beige wide-leg wool blend trousers from Brandon Maxwell – with dainty golden stud earrings. 

She attended today’s event with the Duke of Sussex, 37, to mark the one-year countdown to the 2023 Invictus Games, which were delayed due to the pandemic. 

The Tank watch, once owned by Diana and thought to be gifted to Meghan by Harry, was priced at £17,800 at the time but is now likely worth a lot more given its history, and is one of the pieces sported by Meghan today.

The elegant timepiece was worn by Diana at a number of occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

Meghan is known to be a fan of the Tank watch and splurged on her own two-tone version back in 2015 when ‘Suits’ was picked up for a third season.

 

Meghan happily posed for numerous selfies as she thanked the fans for coming.

The couple looked overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception and spent close to 15 minutes thanking the fans for coming to see them

Harry remarked on the scorching hot weather and seeing a woman with ginger hair called ‘ Nice to see a ginger’

The adoring crowd lapped up every word the couple spoke as they worked their way along the line

Meghan was flanked by her personal bodyguard Christopher Sanchez who at one point looked concerned as the crowd surged forward and threatened to spill over the metal barricades.

Meghan looked overwhelmed by the reception she was getting and repeatedly thanked people for waiting to see them

She paused by new mum Sarah who was cradling her three-month-old son.

Sarah, from Cologne said: ”I told Meghan had bought her book The Bench and she said thank you

‘She asked how old my son was and was lovely’.

As he worked the crowd Harry urged them to return next year for the Invictus Games.

The couple left in a four car convoy to board a river cruise along the Rhine.

Harry and Meghan sat in a Porsche 4×4 while aides from Archwell were in an Audi.

The team of bodyguards travelled in two black people carriers

Meghan, wearing a £245 cream knitted vest from trendy LA label Anine Bing and matching trousers, and Harry, in a grey suit, flew into Germany this morning where police closed junctions and set up miles of roadblocks so they and their entourage, including a personal doctor, could avoid traffic jams.

The pair are meeting officials and potential competitors in the city on Tuesday. They will be taken by boat along the Rhine River from the reception to the Merkur Spiel-Arena for a press conference at which Harry will deliver remarks. The £13million MS Rhein Galaxie was seen docked along the river on Tuesday morning.

More than 500 people stood behind metal barriers outside the entrance to the town hall. Some had taken their place at the front three hours before the planned arrival of the couple.

Elisa, 24, said: ‘I know they have been rude about the royal family, but I have read so much about them I wanted to see them myself.’ And her friend Melina, 26, said: ‘They have become a soap opera, but I find anything g about the Queen and royal family interesting.’

City officials also rolled out the red carpet – and even hoovered it – but insist the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is private and they will be protected by their own security team with the couple footing the bill. 

But German police said they were only involved primarily on crowd control in the market square where Harry, 37, and Meghan, 41, started their visit at around 12.30pm.

A police source said temporary roadblocks would be set up along the route from Dusseldorf airport to the city centre to allow the convoy of vehicles transporting Harry and Meghan to avoid being stuck in traffic on the three mile journey.

As the visit is private there was no police motorcycle outriders and accompanying police cars would not turn on their flashing blue lights. But the source said a vehicle carrying a doctor and medical equipment will have been part of the convoy for the three-mile drive into the city.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, at the Invictus Games one year to go event in Dusseldorf

Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games event in Dusseldorf, Germany, this afternoon

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives on the red carpet to be welcomed by the Mayor during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games event in Dusseldorf, Germany, this afternoon

The couple waved to the crowd, who were calling their names after hours waiting for them

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games event in Dusseldorf, Germany, this afternoon

A man takes a selfie with Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games event in Dusseldorf, Germany, this afternoon

A woman takes a picture with Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games event in Dusseldorf, Germany, this afternoon

Harry and Meghan got the red carpet treatment despite being classed as private citizens rather than royals by German police 

Meghan smiles and Harry laughs as she speaks to servicemen and women on the red carpet in Germany. She wore a £245 cream knitted vest from trendy LA label Anine Bing

Harry spoke animatedly at the start of the event in Dusseldorf – exactly one year before the 2023 Invictus Games

Harry smiles and claps at the launch of one of his main projects: Invictus

The Sussexes are in Europe to officially launch the 2023 Invictus Games but are staying in the UK

Prince Harry and Meghan are promoting the One Year To Go events for Invictus

Prince Harry visits the city as ambassador for the Invictus Games, a week-long games for active servicemen and veterans who are ill

The couple seemed relaxed as they posed for pictures in front of around 500 people in the German city

The Duke of Sussex is the founder and patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.

The 2023 edition of the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, will take place from September 9 to 16, 2023

 Alfred Marstaller, Brigadier general, Lord Mayor of the State Capital, Dr. Stephan Keller, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Parliamentary secretary with the Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Muller and Markus Laubenthal, General lieutenant, pose at the town hall

Harry wore a grey suit with an open neck shirt and put a comforting hand around his wife’s back as they walked towards an Invictus banner outside the town hall entrance.

Meghan beamed as a woman in the crowd shouted out ‘you’re beautiful’ and scores of people cheered.

Others shouted out the Prince’s name and he seemed to find the adulation amusing.

Harry looked relaxed as he waved and smiled at the crowd.

Their arrival had been delayed by 10 minutes due to the volume of traffic coming into the city centre.

A team of seven burly bodyguards stood behind the couple as they smiled and posed for pictures.

Former US secret service agent Christopher Sanchez, now the couple’s personal bodyguard, stood watch over the couple.

He had been by their side during the Invictus Games in The Hague earlier this year.

They were met in the red carpet by Düsseldorf mayor Stephan Keller and a senior member of the German military.

The couple held hands throughout the red carpet walk this afternoon

Meghan beamed as a woman in the crowd shouted out ‘you’re beautiful’ and scores of people cheered.

Harry is meeting officials and people who will take part in Invictus next year

The couple were introduced to a military mascot called Loki. Harry and Meghan both bent down to pat the dog

Harry would later give a speech inside the hall, watched by his wife

Harry and Meghan stopped by a large banner promoting the Invictus Games- the reason for their visit to Düsseldorf.

The city hosts the sports event for disabled military veterans next September.

Both Harry and Meghan seemed relaxed by all the media attention.

When photographers called for them to turn their way they willingly obliged.

As they stood posing for mostly German media Harry held his wife’s hand.

The couple were introduced to a bulldog wearing the Invictus logo and stood patiently by the banner. The couple were introduced to a military mascot called Loki. Harry bent down to pat the dog while Meghan also showed an interest. 

After a reception inside the town hall the couple planned to meet locals who stood in the blazing sunshine for several hours. One woman clutched her newborn baby while several young girls had flowers they hoped to present to Meghan.

A grinning Meghan Markle leaves Windsor on Day 2 of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe as the Sussexes head to Germany

Harry was also smiling as they left, protected by two former Met Police officers now working for the Sussexes, who are in Dusselfdorf

Hundreds of royal fans stood for over two hours in the stifling heat hoping to see Harry and Meghan when they arrive at Düsseldorf town hall. Among them was former serviceman Bob Clark and his wife Lily who were decked out in royal regalia.

City officials remove plastic film from the red carpet ahead of the Sussexes’ arrival

A worker vacuums the steps before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive

Huge crowds turned out into the main square at Dusseldorf as they wait for the couple, who were late

Harry and Meghan will emerge from their car onto a red carpet and walk across the market square to the entrance to the town hall which dates back to the 16th century (prepared interior pictured)

Security steps up in Dusseldorf ahead of the Sussexes’ visit

On Thursday the couple will attend the WellChild Awards, which celebrate the bravery of young people from across the UK who have coped with a serious illness or disability.

The red carpet is being rolled out for the Sussexes on their first ever visit to Germany – even though their trip is as private citizens. The couple will be given the same sort of welcome afforded to visiting heads of state when they arrive for a reception and book signing at the town hall in Dusseldorf today.

Last minute preparations included red and white flowers – the official colours of the city – being placed around the entrance to the town hall.

The couple are in Germany on Tuesday to start the countdown to the Invictus Games being held in Dusseldorf next September and their visit will include an hour-long scenic cruise along the Rhine on a ‘party boat’ usually packed with tourists.

The afternoon jaunt on the £13m MS Rhein Galaxie will take them along the Rhine to Duisburg and end at the Merkur-Spiel sports stadium where the sports event for disabled military veterans will be held.

A source with the city of Dusseldorf told Mail Online: ‘Of course this is a private visit, but we do not want anything to go wrong or there to be any incident. We are showcasing the city.

‘They will have their own security teams, but the police area being consulted and will be involved. We are hosts for the Invictus Games and we want everything to run very smoothly.

‘There have been lots of consultations and plans have changed, but we are confident it will be a trouble-free visit.’

Harry and Meghan will emerge from their car onto a red carpet and walk across the market square to the entrance to the town hall which dates back to the 16th century.

After walking up a spiral staircase adorned with red and white flowers they will be joined by the city’s Mayor Stephan Keller.

After speeches from Harry and the Mayor, the couple will sign what is known as the ‘Golden Book’.

The oversized leather-bound volume is signed by all visiting dignitaries to Dusseldorf, the capital of the Rhine-Westphalia region.

The page assigned to the couple has already been prepared with their names in red Roman cursive writing.

Harry is billed as’ Prinz Harry Herzog von Sussex’ while his wife is ‘Meghan, Herzogin von Sussex’ – translated as Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Harry is described as the patron of the Invictus Games.

Although there is a balcony in the book signing overlooking the market square the couple will not be stepping out to wave to crowds gathered below.

‘That would not be appropriate,’ said a city official.

A convoy of cars will take the couple to a jetty about two miles away where they will board the Rhein Galaxie for the hour-long cruise along the Rhine.

They will have lunch on board and with warm weather predicted expected to stay on the open top deck rather than sit below on one of the three decks.

The 85m long ship was launched in 2020 but due to the pandemic only came into service five months ago and is the most modern along the fleet of the sightseeing tour operators KD.

It can hold up to 1,000 guests and is used for conferences, trade fairs and parties.

The company boasts that the ship has ‘floor-to-ceiling windows, a stage arranged on the side and a spacious atrium, which connects three decks with one another via an artistically designed ‘feature wall’ with large screens.

The outdoor deck has an 85 square meter dance floor and offers a VIP viewing platforms and an imposing ‘Skywalk’ above the bar.

Last-minute preparations for the trip were being carried out with tables and flowers being arranged on the open top deck.

The river cruise ship will drop Harry and Meghan off at the sports arena where athletes taking part in the 2023 Invictus Games will be introduced to the couple.

The German military, who are co-organisers of the games, will hold a press conference attended by Harry but he has stipulated he will not take any questions from the media.

With the conference scheduled to end at 5pm UK time the couple will be driven back to the airport for a return flight to London.

The Sussexes’ visit to Dusseldorf will include an hour-long scenic cruise along the Rhine on a ‘party boat’ usually packed with tourists

The afternoon jaunt on the £13m MS Rhein Galaxie (pictured) will take Harry and Meghan along the Rhine to Duisberg and end at the Merkur-Spiel sports stadium where the sports event for disabled military veterans will be held

A police source said temporary roadblocks will be set up along the route from Dusseldorf airport to the city centre to allow the convoy of vehicles transporting Harry and Meghan to avoid being stuck in traffic (Pictured: Inside the party boat that will play host to the Sussexes on Tuesday) 

The Golden Book in the Town Hall in Dusseldorf is prepared and ready to be signed by Harry and Meghan at the reception to launch the Invictus Games 2023

The Von Sussexes: The Golden Book at Dusseldorf town hall is ready to be signed by Harry and Meghan on Tuesday

The outdoor deck has an 85 square meter dance floor and offers a VIP viewing platforms and an imposing ‘Skywalk’ above the bar

The company boasts that the ship has ‘floor-to-ceiling windows, a stage arranged on the side and a spacious atrium, which connects three decks with one another via an artistically designed ‘feature wall’ with large screens.

Meghan Markle was last night accused of making a speech that just focused on ‘me, me, me’ at the One Young World summit in Manchester as she made at least 54 references to herself during a seven-minute talk to young people billed as being about gender equality.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, made her first address in Britain since Megxit as she opened the event at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester watched by her smiling husband Harry – but the couple had ran a gauntlet of boos as they arrived at the first public engagement of their pseudo-royal tour.

Meghan gave the keynote speech at the One Young World Summit for youth leaders from around the globe – and the welcome was warm as she and her husband walked onto the stage. 

It had been touted as a speech about gender equality but Meghan made one anecdote about women during the speech to about 2,000 people. Instead, she gushed about Prince Harry and the ‘life-changing’ impact of becoming a mother to Archie and told the event it was ‘very nice to be back in the UK’.

At one point she spoke of her pride at being a ‘mum’ and appeared emotional when the audience applauded. She then spoke of how her life had ‘changed significantly’ – a reference that may have been related to Archie, the Royal Family and Megxit. 

Meghan told the audience of mainly young people about how she first became involved in the organisation in 2014: ‘In many ways I was probably like a lot like you, I was young, ambitious’ and declared they must ‘seize the moment’ and not be crippled by self-doubt.

She questioned how she became successful, referring to herself as ‘the girl from Suits’ who was eventually ‘invited to pull up a seat at the table’ with powerful leaders, prime minsters, humanitarians and activists. And spoke about the first time she was asked to be a counsellor and having a ‘pinch me moment’.

‘I was so overwhelmed by this experience, I think, I think I even saved my little paper place-marker with my name on it’, she said, adding it was ‘Just proof: proof that I was there, proof that I belonged, because the truth was, I wasn’t sure that I belonged.’

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said Meghan’s speech ‘was just ‘me, me, me’ and praising herself.’  

Meghan and Harry had been given a warm welcome. But minutes earlier, as the couple climbed out of their car, many in a 100- strong crowd booed from behind a barrier just yards away, with onlookers saying it was so loud ‘there was no doubt they would have heard’. One protester was carrying a sign that read: ‘FO Harry and Me-Gain Fake Royals.’

A woman who gave her name as Janet, from Manchester, accused Meghan of being a ‘liar and a hypocrite’ and of launching an ‘attack’ on the Royal Family. ‘She’s a fake humanitarian and a fake feminist,’ she said. ‘She’s a social climber… she thought she could be a celebrity in the Royal Family and she’s the most toxic, divisive woman I’ve ever heard of in my life.’

Meghan Markle (pictured on Monday) gave a seven-minute speech focused on ‘me, me, me’, royal experts said, during her first address in Britain since Megxit more than two years ago, as she gushed about Prince Harry and the ‘life-changing’ impact of becoming a mother to Archie

Meghan told the event it was ‘very nice to be back in the UK’ before touting her own work with the organisation. Meghan seemingly tried to relate with the youth attendees, telling them: ‘In many ways I was probably like a lot like you, I was young, ambitious.’ The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured together at Monday’s event

Meghan also told the audience, made up of young delegates from more than 190 countries, that they are ‘the future, but also the present, driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe.’ She and Prince Harry are pictured at Manchester Train Station as they make their return to London on Monday night

Harry and Meghan greet one of the founders of the One Young World Summit as they take to the stage on Monday night 

Meghan made at least 54 references to herself during the seven-minute talk, a body language analyst revealed

One protester was carrying a sign that read: ‘FO Harry and Me-Gain Fake Royals’

Harry and Meghan arrived back at London’s Euston station on Monday evening after the opening ceremony, They head to Germany today

Meghan referenced herself 54 times in the seven-minute speech, a body language analyst revealed on Twitter. 

Despite having been selected to discuss gender equality, Meghan only made one brief anecdote about a woman other than herself. The Duchess of Sussex said that the first year she joined One Young World in Dublin, she worked with a young woman from Eritrea.

‘She had escaped her home country, fleeing with bullets fired above her head. I still remember it so well,’ she said. ‘I remember my shock, and I also remember her courage, my recognition of how much continues to go on each day with so many turning a blind eye. And yet despite all odds, she like so many still persevered.’

Royal experts criticised Meghan after the speech for delivering an address that ‘lacked content’ and was riddled with confusing and insincere commentary.

‘I can’t visualise or comprehend how the 2,000 young people understood a word of what she was talking about,’ Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun.

‘It made no sense. It was all about her and related everything to herself.

‘I don’t think she knew what she was talking about. It was just ‘me, me, me’ and praising herself.’

‘I was an ugly duckling’: Meghan Markle says she was a little girl with ‘frizzy, curly hair and a huge gap in my teeth’ who ‘sat alone at lunch’ and joined school clubs to fill her time in podcast interview with Mindy Kaling

Meghan Markle has revealed she considered herself an ‘ugly duckling’ during her childhood, telling The Office actress Mindy Kaling in the latest episode of her Archetypes podcast that she struggled with the way she looked as a youngster.    

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, made the comments in the third podcast released on Spotify, telling Kaling that she was ‘not the pretty one’ when growing up and would often join clubs so she would have meetings at lunch and wouldn’t have to sit alone. 

The 50-minute podcast was released as the couple jetted to Germany for an Invictus Games event, and also saw the two women discuss how men for a long time assumed they were funnier than their female counterparts, and the stigma of being a single woman. 

Spotify today released the Duchess of Sussex’s third podcast in her ‘Archetypes’ series, in which she speaks with The Office actress Mindy Kaling; in the broadcast, Markle says she considered herself an ‘ugly duckling’ as a child

She told latest Archetypes podcast interviewee Kaling that she had ‘massive frizzy, curly hair and a huge gap in my teeth’ growing up (Markle pictured in childhood)

In the candid exchange, Kaling talks about how she tries to instill confidence in her own daughter, Katherine, four, by telling her she’s beautiful – but adds that she doesn’t think that’s always the right message. 

Kaling says: ‘I grew up always feeling ugly, overweight, ‘othered’, and so, with my daughter, I’m always telling her that she’s beautiful to the point where my friend BJ is like “You can tell her other compliments!”.

The actress added that while the compliment ‘smart’ came her way, and gave her confidence in her studies, she wasn’t told she was beautiful.

The Duchess then shared her own experiences, saying she empathized with not being the ‘pretty one’ at school, much to the surprise of her interviewee.   

‘Were you not the pretty one growing up?’ a shocked Kaling asks. 

‘No, oh God, no!’ responds Markle, adding: ‘Ugly duckling’.

The Duchess of Sussex speaks at the One Young World 2022 summit in Manchester last night; it was her first public speech since the couple left royal life in 2020

Meghan Markle (left, in a photo issued with her Spotify podcast) spoke to Mindy Kaling (right, in Los Angeles on August 11)

She clarified that her looks might have been considered unconventionally beautiful, saying she had ‘massive frizzy, curly hair and a huge gap in my teeth. I was the smart, one forever and ever and ever and ever – and then I sort of grew up.’

Kaling replies she expected that Markle had been ‘the hot girl who, like, has her head screwed on right’ at school, ‘because her mom’s probably, like, really cool.’

Prince Harry’s wife explained that while at school at the Hollywood Schoolhouse and, later, all-girls Catholic school, Immaculate Heart, in Los Angeles she struggled to fit in with her peers.

She explains: ‘I never had anyone to sit with at lunch. I was always a little bit of a loner and really shy and didn’t know where I fit in. 

The podcast sees the 41-year-old (pictured in Manchester with Prince Harry) discuss how she struggled to fit in with her peers at Immaculate Heart, an all-girls Catholic school in Los Angeles

‘And so I just became, well, I was like, okay then, I’ll become the president of the multi-cultural club and the president of sophomore class and the president of this… and French club. And by doing that, I had meetings at lunchtime, so I didn’t have to worry about who I would sit with or what I would do because I was always so busy.’

Kaling tells the former Suits star that listening to her recount her experiences of a lonely childhood make her more easy to relate to, saying that she was ‘intimidated’ by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s apparently ‘successful’ lives before the podcast was recorded.

She told the duchess: ‘You do seem so intimidating, your life is together, you’re so beautiful.’

She gushes: ‘And like, even in the Oprah thing is like, “oh my God, she has chickens?” Who has their s*** together enough to raise chickens and kids? It’s nice to know that you were a lonely kid who didn’t like necessarily being that way.’

Mindy Kaling played Kelly Kapoor (left) in the American version of The Office alongside BJ Novak as Ryan Howard (right)

The new podcast was expected to come out on the streaming service at 12.30pm today – like last week’s episode with Mariah Carey – but ended up being released two hours early at 10.30am as the couple head to Germany.

The description on Spotify says: ‘Meghan speaks candidly with Mindy Kaling who opens up in an unprecedented conversation about the joys, challenges, and stigmas of her life as a single, unmarried woman – plus her decision to start a family on her own.

‘This episode also features New York Magazine writer Rebecca Traister, who unpacks the many archetypes that have followed single women for generations.’

It comes as the couple are set to appear in Germany for an Invictus Games event later on today, fresh from Meghan’s first in-person address in Britain since quitting as a working royal.

Meghan Markle says she grew up dreaming of a ‘perfect, cookie cutter lifestyle’ inspired by the Archie Comics she read as a girl – and jokes the character also led to a ‘love of red heads and the name’

By Harriet Johnston for MailOnline 

Meghan Markle has said revealed she ‘read a lot of Archie Comics’ as a child – as she confessed she ‘loves red heads and the name’ on her latest podcast Archetypes.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, released the third episode of her series today as she jetted to Dusseldorf for the launch of the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, the Paralympic-style event for servicemen and women founded by the prince.

The royal mother-of-two spoke with A-lister actress Mindy Kaling during the episode, discussing the  term ‘spinster’ and what it is like to be a mother.

During the episode, Meghan spoke of how she ‘romanticized’ the life portrayed in the magazines, explaining: ‘My son is not named after the comic books but I loved them. I collected them.’

After Archie Mountbatten Windsor was born on May 7 2019, fans of both the comic books and Riverdale — the CW teen drama based on the series — were delighted to learn that he shares a name with the red-headed title character Archie Andrews. 

Meghan Markle, 41, has said revealed she ‘read a lot of Archie Comics’ as a child – as she confessed she ‘loves red heads and the name’ on her latest podcast Archetypes

The American comic book hero Archie is undoubtedly an icon, but he actually isn’t as widely known in the UK 

I was alone so much as a child, I read a lot of Archie Comic books. 

She continued: ‘I always wanted this cookie cutter perfect life – and you looked at that, and the boy in the letterman jacket…I romanticized that.

‘It’s all part of the things that make you have this idea of the things you want when you grow up.’

The Duchess went on to compare herself to the character Betty Cooper from the comics, who was a love interest of Archie. 

When Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their son’s name on their Instagram account on May 8 2019, fans couldn’t resist theorizing that they must be fans of the series 

The character was portrayed as popular, with a desire to help the homeless, read to the senior citizens, and rescue wounded animals and birds. 

Meanwhile she also loved cooking and was one of the most intelligent of the characters in the comic book series. 

Meghan said: ‘I’m way more Betty than Veronica and I’m the smart one, not the pretty one, and am I going to get the guy one day? All this stuff was wrapped up in reading Archie Comic books and It’s aspirational in some ways. 

She went on to giggle as she confessed: ‘I like red heads and I like the name Archie too! It’s full circle!’

The royal couple have not previously revealed why they chose the name Archie for their son, but have long been theories abound. 

Spotify today released the Duchess’ third podcast in her ‘Archetypes’ series, in which she speaks with The Office actress Mindy about the ‘stigma’ of life as a single woman, two hours earlier than expected

The American comic book hero is undoubtedly an icon, but he actually isn’t as widely known in the UK. 

However, his profile has increased in the UK thanks to the popularity of Riverdale and heartthrob KJ Apa, who plays Archie on the show.

When Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their son’s name on their Instagram account on May 8 2019, fans couldn’t resist theorizing that they must be fans of the series.

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa took to Twitter to celebrate the royal baby’s name, writing: ‘Best. Crossover. Ever. #Riverdale goes ROYAL. Congrats to the Meghan and Harry #archie!’

The episode was released today as Meghan and Harry headed to Germany on the next leg of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe

Meanwhile, the official account for the show tweeted a GIF of its flame-haired star putting his dukes up in a boxing ring with the caption, ‘Proud to be Archie.’

Spotify today released the Duchess’ third podcast in her ‘Archetypes’ series, in which she speaks with The Office actress Mindy about the ‘stigma’ of life as a single woman, two hours earlier than expected. 

The new podcast was expected to come out on the streaming service at 12.30pm today – like last week’s episode with Mariah Carey – but ended up being released two hours early at 10.30am as the couple head to Germany.

The description on Spotify says: ‘Meghan speaks candidly with Mindy Kaling who opens up in an unprecedented conversation about the joys, challenges, and stigmas of her life as a single, unmarried woman – plus her decision to start a family on her own.

‘This episode also features New York Magazine writer Rebecca Traister, who unpacks the many archetypes that have followed single women for generations.’

The episode was released today as Meghan and Harry headed to Germany on the next leg of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe – where police will close junctions and set up miles of roadblocks to stop them and their entourage being stuck in traffic.

On Thursday the couple will attend the WellChild Awards, which celebrate the bravery of young people from across the UK who have coped with a serious illness or disability.

The red carpet is being rolled out for the Sussexes on their first ever visit to Germany – even though their trip is as private citizens. The couple will be given the same sort of welcome afforded to visiting heads of state when they arrive for a reception and book signing at the town hall in Dusseldorf today.