Meghan Markle can't wear this in public (even if she's pregnant)

meghan markle difficulty
(Image credit: REX/Shutterstock)

Even though it's been over two months since Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in Windsor, she's still learning all the rules she has to abide by as a Royal. For example, the fact she can't eat shellfish or that she has to return most of her birthday presents.

And of course, there are plenty of style rules too, from wearing tights at official engagements to avoiding wedges altogether. Now it turns out there's something else she can never wear in public, and it's a bit of a staple if you're a little under the weather or just want to feel comfortable, which is why it's a favourite with a lot of pregnant women.

You see protocol dictates that royals aren't allowed to wear a tracksuit in public, or any other type of baggy clothing or leggings.

The Duchess of Sussex has to make sure she always looks the part when out and about on official engagements, and that often includes a smart dress, tights and heels, and possibly a hat too.

However, it's worth noting that Kate Middleton did break that rule a couple of times, more recently when she was pregnant with Prince Louis. She wore a tracksuit and trainers at the Lawn Tennis Association last year, but as she was coaching children for a game, those were special circumstances.

You'll be pleased to hear thought that behind closed doors, Meghan can lounge around in yoga gear and binge on a takeaway if she wishes too.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.