Comedian Rachel Parris Calls Out the Impossible Standards Meghan Markle Faces With Her Princess "Advice"
During a segment on BBC’s \201cThe Mash Report," comedian Rachel Parris offered "advice" for Meghan Markle that highlights the impossible standards the duchess is held to.

- Ever since she and Prince Harry went public with their relationship in 2016, Meghan Markle has been on the receiving end of harsh and sometimes racist criticism and attacks.
- To highlight the impossible standards Meghan faces as a member of the royal family, comedian Rachel Parris delivered a monologue of "advice" on how to be a "perfect princess."
- The segment, which aired on BBC Two's The Mash Report, has received praise for highlighting the difficult situation Meghan is in as a royal.
From the moment news broke that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were a thing, the former Suits actress has had to contend with weighty expectations, harsh critics, and, in some cases, overt racism.
Things got so bad so fast that Harry famously issued an official statement about the situation when he and Meghan were still just dating. Putting a ring on it didn't quiet Meghan's harshest critics and the Duchess of Sussex is routinely scrutinized for, well, literally every decision she makes.
In a new segment on BBC Two's The Mash Report, comedian Rachel Parris expertly addressed the impossible situation Meghan is expected to navigate with an "investigation" into whether or not Meghan is a "proper princess."
Watch Rachel's delivery of the segment or read some highlights below:
Is Meghan Markle behaving like a "proper" princess? #TheMashReport investigates... 👑😂pic.twitter.com/QfVLzGJEKQSeptember 14, 2019
On Meghan and Prince Andrew being compared:
"Meghan Markle has been widely attacked by the British press for flying in Elton John’s private jet, guest-editing this month’s edition of British Vogue and wearing jeans to Wimbledon. So when it emerged that Prince Andrew had been flying around the world on the private jet of a convicted pedophile and sex offender, one might have imagined that the outrage would go through the roof....
“Actually, journalists have been equating Meghan’s misdemeanours with Andrew’s. Former editor of The Sun, Dominic Mohan, said last week, 'It’s been an annus horribilis for the Royal Family, whether you’re talking about Prince Andrew or Harry and Meghan.'
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"That’s right—it’s been a terrible year for the Royals whether you’re talking about Prince Andrew hanging out with a convicted pedophile, Meghan wearing jeans to Wimbledon…Roughly the same, aren’t they?"
On the role of race:
"So how do we explain this harsher treatment of Meghan compared to the other Royals who are white? Look, it's not about her being a woman of color. No. It's about her being a woman of color, progressive, American, divorced, and having some opinions. Several commentators appear to be almost as obsessed with having a go at Meghan as they are with stating that it’s not because of her race. Nothing like having to deny something repeatedly to put us all at ease."
On #MeToo:
"Don’t be progressive…You can comment on your favorite designer, but don’t mention Me Too, please."
On what the British really want from the royals:
"There’s a very delicate but important contract that a Royal has with the British public and it’s this: Most people don’t mind paying for the Royals as long as those Royals live a miserable, thwarted existence full of horrible compromise."
On how to be a "perfect" princess:
"To win over the Brits you must love the camera, hate the camera, perfect a strained half-smile, a hidden despair and stop giving a sh*t about the poor or the planet. And ideally be white, English and related to your husband before you marry him."
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Queen Elizabeth "Truly Embraced" Meghan Markle During Rare Joint Appearance as a "Double Act" in 2018
"The fact that the two of them were appearing together...was quite unique."
-
How a "Last-Minute" Message Called an Urgent "Ceasefire" Between Prince Harry and Prince William After Queen Elizabeth Died
"They are better and stronger together than they are apart."
-
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Paid Tribute to Princess Diana With Princess Lilibet's 4th Birthday Celebration
The Sussexes spent "two days of pure joy" at Disneyland with their children.
-
Princess Lilibet Has Prince Harry's Eyes in Adorable New Fourth Birthday Photos
Proud mom Meghan shared some unseen photos of Lili—and she looks just like her dad.
-
All About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Two Rescue Dogs, Mamma Mia and Pula
Prince Harry says the pair are "emotional support dogs 100 percent, when they're behaving."
-
Exclusive: Meghan Markle on the "Extraordinary Advice" Tina Knowles Gave Her During Special Podcast Episode
The Duchess of Sussex tells 'Marie Claire' what it was like talking business and Beyoncé with Ms. Tina.
-
Meghan Markle Says One Aspect of Royal Life Left Her "Clinging Very Closely" to Prince Harry During Prince Archie Pregnancy
The duchess recalled thinking, "please don’t let me fall."
-
Royal Family Is Open to "Public Scrutiny" as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Former Home, Frogmore Cottage, Sits Unused
Property expert Robin Edwards tells 'Marie Claire' that there's multiple options for the historic home.