If you’ve ever seen a photo of the Duchess of Sussex standing next to her husband, you’ve probably done a double-take. Prince Harry is a giant. He stands at roughly 6’1” (185 cm) or 6’2” depending on which royal biographer you trust, and that massive frame tends to dwarf anyone in his immediate vicinity. Because of this, the internet has a weird obsession with one specific question: how tall is Meghan Markle really?
Most people assume she’s quite short. She looks tiny on the news. In reality, she’s actually taller than the average woman in both the US and the UK. But there is a massive rabbit hole of conflicting acting resumes, royal protocol, and "heel hacks" that make this a lot more complicated than just a number on a measuring tape.
The Official Number: What the Records Say
For years, the gold standard for Meghan’s height came from her old acting CVs from her days on Suits. Those resumes listed her at 5’6” (168 cm).
That’s a solid height. Honestly, it’s about two inches taller than the average American woman, who typically clocks in around 5’4”. But then things got murky. When she officially joined the Royal Family, the British tabloids started digging. Some outlets, like The Sun and The Daily Mail, began reporting her height as 5’5”. Others insisted she was closer to 5’7”.
Why the discrepancy? It usually comes down to "Hollywood height." It’s a known secret that actors often round up. If you're 5'5" and a half, you're 5'6" on paper. If you're 5'11", you might claim 6'0" to get leading man roles.
Comparisons that confuse everyone
- Kate Middleton: The Princess of Wales is a statuesque 5’9”. When they stand together, Meghan looks significantly shorter, which feeds the "petite" narrative.
- Prince Harry: As mentioned, he’s over 6 feet. A seven-inch height gap is visually jarring.
- The Late Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen was roughly 5’3” or 5’4” in her prime, but reportedly 5'2" in her later years. Meghan was noticeably taller than her, even in flats.
The Secret to the "Stature" Illusion
You’ve probably noticed Meghan is rarely seen without a pair of towering stilettos. We’re talking Aquazzura, Manolo Blahnik, or Sarah Flint pumps, often with a 4-inch (100mm) heel. This isn't just a fashion choice; it’s a strategic one.
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When you’re constantly photographed next to people who are 6’0” and above, a 4-inch boost brings you much closer to eye level. It changes the composition of the photo. Without those heels, the height difference between her and Harry would be nearly a head and a half.
There’s also the "shoe size" trick. If you look closely at photos of Meghan at royal events, her shoes often look a bit too big. There’s a visible gap at the heel. Fashion experts and royal watchers like Harriet Davey have pointed out that celebrities often wear shoes a size or two too large to prevent blisters and swelling during long hours on their feet. When you wear shoes that big, you have to walk a certain way, which can actually change your posture and how tall you appear to be.
Why the Height Debate Won’t Die
Recently, social media went into a bit of a meltdown over photos of Meghan at a party with Kim Kardashian. Fans pointed out that Meghan didn't look that much taller than Kim, who is famously about 5’2”.
This sparked a whole new wave of "truthers" claiming the 5’6” stat is a total myth.
But here’s the thing: perspective is everything. Camera angles, the slope of the ground, and even the thickness of a rug can change a person's perceived height by inches. If Meghan is standing slightly behind someone or slouching, she’s going to look shorter.
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Also, we have to look at her cousins-in-law. Princess Beatrice is about 5'4" and Princess Eugenie is roughly 5'5". In group photos where they are all wearing similar heels, Meghan consistently appears to have an inch or two on them.
The Reality Check
So, is she 5'6"? Probably. Or at least very close to it.
The reason she feels "short" is entirely contextual. She moved into a family of literal giants. The Windsor men are abnormally tall. King Charles is 5’10”, Prince William is 6'3", and even Queen Camilla is about 5'8". When you’re the "short one" in a group of people who are nearly all 5'8" to 6'3", you're going to look like a pixie, even if you’re actually taller than most women in the grocery store.
Key Takeaways on Meghan’s Measurements
- Resume Height: 5’6” (168 cm).
- Most Likely Actual Height: Between 5’5” and 5’6”.
- Weight (Reported): Around 113-120 lbs, though this fluctuates like anyone else's.
- Common Footwear: 4-inch stilettos.
How to Apply the "Duchess Glow" to Your Own Stature
If you’re on the shorter side—or just look shorter next to your partner—you can actually learn a few things from Meghan’s public appearances. It’s not just about the heels.
First, look at her posture. She almost always employs a "royal" posture: shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground, and a lengthened spine. It adds a perceived inch of height instantly.
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Second, the monochrome look. Meghan frequently wears outfits where the top and bottom are the same color (or very similar tones). This creates a vertical line of color that tricks the eye into seeing a longer, taller silhouette. When you break up your body with a dark belt or contrasting colors, you "cut" your height in half visually.
Finally, embrace the gap. If you’re 5’6” and your partner is 6’2”, you’re never going to look the same height. Instead of trying to close the gap entirely, Meghan uses shoes to bring her head into the same "frame" as Harry’s, making for better-balanced photos without trying to pretend she’s a WNBA player.
If you really want to gauge her height for yourself, don't look at her next to Harry. Look at her next to members of the public during walkabouts. You'll see she's almost always a bit taller than the average person she's shaking hands with.
Actionable Insight: If you're trying to look taller in photos, skip the tip-toes. Follow the "Duchess Rule": wear a pointed-toe heel (which elongates the leg) and stick to a monochromatic color palette. It won't change your DNA, but it'll change the way you're captured on camera.