“There’s a Deeper Reason”: Meghan Markle Finally Explains Why She Always Greets Guests Barefoot — and Shares Touching Insights Into Lilibet’s Fiery Personality
Meghan Markle has long fascinated royal watchers and lifestyle enthusiasts alike with her distinctive blend of California cool and royal poise. But one small detail has often sparked curiosity — and even confusion — among fans: why the Duchess of Sussex so often greets guests barefoot at her Montecito home.
Now, Meghan has finally explained the meaning behind the intimate gesture, revealing that her choice to go shoeless isn’t a fashion statement — it’s a reflection of how she wants people to feel in her home.
Speaking in a candid interview for the latest issue of The Cut, Meghan said that being barefoot represents “comfort, humility, and connection.” She explained, “I love for our home to feel like a safe, grounding space — one where you can breathe, be yourself, and connect with the earth beneath you.”
The Duchess went on to share that going barefoot also ties into her mindfulness practice and Californian upbringing. “When you’re barefoot, there’s nothing between you and the ground,” she said. “It reminds me to stay present. It’s something we encourage our kids to do too — to feel the grass, the sand, the world around them.”
That “we” of course includes her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, who are being raised away from the strict royal spotlight under the sunny skies of Santa Barbara. And while Archie is described as “inquisitive and gentle,” Meghan revealed that Lilibet is proving to be every bit her mother’s daughter.
“Lili has a very strong personality,” Meghan said with a smile. “She’s curious, fearless, and knows exactly what she wants. She’s our little firecracker.”
The Duchess admitted that parenting two spirited young children can be both joyful and exhausting but said she’s proud that her daughter is already showing signs of confidence and independence. “I see so much of myself in her,” Meghan confessed. “She’s kind but strong. I want her to grow up knowing that she never has to shrink herself for anyone.”
This rare glimpse into the Sussex family’s daily life comes as Meghan prepares to relaunch her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which promises to capture the “soul of home” — something clearly central to her values. From her barefoot hospitality to her emphasis on grounding and mindfulness, it’s clear that Meghan’s philosophy of living is deeply rooted in authenticity.
Fans have praised her for embracing simplicity over status. “It’s so Meghan to turn something small, like being barefoot, into something meaningful,” one admirer wrote online. “She always finds beauty in the ordinary.”
While Meghan’s barefoot habit once puzzled royal traditionalists — a stark contrast to palace protocol — it now stands as a quiet symbol of her journey from Duchess to independent woman, wife, and mother. And for Meghan, that simple act of shedding her shoes may just be the most honest way to show the world she’s standing firmly, and freely, on her own two feet.
