Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently offered a candid look into her personal life and career endeavors during her first-ever podcast interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. With palpable emotion, Meghan spoke extensively about her profound love for Prince Harry, describing him as a protector who “Slayed the Dragon, saved the Princess” for their marriage. She tearfully recounted her journey in the public eye, expressing deep gratitude for her partner, stating, “That man loves me so much. Look what we've built? We have a beautiful life, we have two healthy, beautiful children,” referring to their son Archie, 6, and daughter Lilibet, 3.

Drawing an analogy to the popular video game, Super Mario Bros., Meghan likened Prince Harry to the hero who reaches the final level to “Slay the dragon, save the princess.” She emphasized his unwavering commitment to their family's safety and protection, ensuring they are uplifted while still prioritizing their date nights. She affectionately called him a “fox,” admiring his handsomeness, but even more so, the beauty of his heart. This heartfelt discussion comes five years after the couple's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to Meghan's home state of California.

In the interview, Meghan also reflected on personal growth, articulating her weariness with the “prove it game” – the societal pressure to constantly demonstrate one's worthiness in various roles. “I was like, I am so done with the prove it game. I know that I’m a great friend, I know the kind of mom I am. I know the kind of human being I am and I know how I show up and I love being that sort of person with the people I love,” she shared, suggesting that true self-worth begins when one ceases to seek external validation.

Prince Harry, meanwhile, has continued his philanthropic efforts. In January 2025, he met with California firefighters battling the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires, and in April 2025, he returned for a second year in a row to the Living Legends of Aviation ceremony to honor the California fire department. He praised the “courage, commitment, and extraordinary group of men and women” who risk their lives to protect others.

The Duchess also opened up about past challenges in her acting career, revealing a specific facial feature that hindered her from securing beauty brand deals. Prior to her fame in the TV show Suits, where she starred as Rachel Zane for seven years, her commercial agent faced significant roadblocks. Meghan, now 43, disclosed that companies were reluctant to hire her for beauty or skincare advertisements due to her natural, freckled complexion. Her agent was told, “No, no, no, no. It’s just never going to work because freckles aren’t a sign of beauty.”

Markle noted that during that era, “you couldn’t see yourself reflected” in major skincare and beauty campaigns. She contrasted this with the revolutionary approach taken by Jamie Kern Lima, founder of It Cosmetics, who envisioned a business using “real people as models” of every age, shape, size, skin tone, and skin challenge. Meghan acknowledged that while this concept might seem normalized today, it was groundbreaking at the time.

Since stepping away from acting and royal duties, Meghan has remained highly active. Following the success of the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” she launched her highly anticipated “As Ever” lifestyle brand this month, nearly a year after its initial naming as “American Riviera Orchard.” She explained the name change, noting that “American Riviera Orchard became this word salad,” a description she didn't favor.

“As Ever” debuted with a curated collection of eight items, reflecting Meghan's passion for cooking, entertaining, and hostessing. The initial drop included a crêpe mix, shortbread cookie mix, several tea flavors, flower sprinkles, honey, and a raspberry spread, all of which sold out in under an hour. The brand has garnered celebrity attention, with Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian proudly showcasing gifts from the Duchess. Kris Jenner recently received a sleek wooden box containing three bottles of Meghan’s As Ever Napa Valley Rosé, accompanied by fresh peaches. She had also previously received a limited batch of homemade jam, batch number 13/50, in April, complete with Meghan’s signature calligraphy. Khloé Kardashian likewise received a basket brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables, and jams, prompting Meghan to playfully reshare the post with the caption, “Hey, hey all my girls with a K.” The As Ever Napa Valley Rosé, retailing for $90 for a three-bottle pack, launched on August 5, described as having a “graceful blush hue” and “delicately balanced” notes reminiscent of Provencal styles.

Fans can also look forward to Meghan's return to the screen with her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” set to premiere its new season on August 26. A trailer, released August 12, features Meghan alongside celebrity guests like Chrissy Teigen, Jay Shetty, Tan France, and chef José Andrés. The series explores themes of connection and community, with Meghan stating, “I love the idea of spending time together, and finding new ways to show people you care. Let’s get creative and learn something new.” The upcoming season will delve into activities such as pottery, calligraphy, and jewelry making, inviting viewers to join her in “moments of discovery and beauty.”