You’ve seen the photos. Meghan Markle is standing next to Prince Harry, and she looks tiny. Then, a few minutes later, she’s walking solo at an event and looks like a statuesque runway model. It’s confusing. People constantly search for meghan markle how tall because the camera seems to lie about her actual height every single time she steps out of a car.
Honestly, height in the public eye is a bit of a shell game. Between the camera angles, the massive heels, and the people she’s standing next to, it's easy to lose track of the actual numbers.
The Real Numbers: How Tall is Meghan Markle?
Let’s get the hard facts out of the way first.
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Meghan Markle is 5 feet 6 inches tall (about 168 cm).
Is that tall? Kinda. In the United States, the average woman is about 5 feet 4 inches. In the UK, it’s basically the same. So, Meghan is actually a couple of inches taller than the average woman you’d pass on the street. She isn't "short" by any standard definition.
The confusion starts when you look at the rest of her family.
The Windsors are oddly tall. Like, really tall. Prince Harry is 6 feet 1 inch (or maybe 6'2" depending on which royal reporter you ask). Prince William is a literal giant at 6 feet 3 inches. Even Kate Middleton is 5 feet 9 inches.
When Meghan stands next to Kate, she’s giving up three full inches. When she’s next to Harry, there’s a seven-inch gap. That is why she looks "petite" in royal group shots. It isn't that she’s small; it’s just that everyone else is a basketball player.
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The Acting Resume vs. Reality
There is always a bit of drama around celebrity heights. Back when Meghan was an actress on Suits, her resume allegedly listed her at 5 feet 7 inches.
Actors do this. All the time.
Adding an inch to a resume is the oldest trick in the Hollywood book. It helps you get cast in roles where you need to look "commanding." Whether she’s 5'6" or 5'7" doesn't really change her life, but for fans trying to figure out meghan markle how tall for their own fashion inspiration, that one inch matters for proportions. Most reliable sources and agency records from her pre-royal days consistently land on the 5'6" mark.
Why She Always Looks Taller Than She Is
Meghan is a master of visual illusions. She knows how to use clothing to "lengthen" her frame. If you’re around 5'6" and want to look 5'9", you follow the Meghan Markle playbook.
The Power of the Pointed Toe
You will rarely see her in a round-toe shoe. Why? Because pointed-toe pumps (like her favorite Manolo Blahniks or Aquazzuras) create a continuous line from the leg down to the tip of the toe. It tricks the eye into thinking the leg is longer than it is.
Monochromatic Dressing
She loves a head-to-toe navy or all-camel look. By wearing one color, she eliminates "breaks" in her silhouette. When you wear a white shirt and black pants, the eye stops at your waist. When you wear one solid color, the eye travels vertically. It’s a classic "tall" hack.
High-Waisted Everything
Meghan often wears high-waisted trousers or skirts. By raising the waistline, she makes her legs look like they start higher up. It’s effective, though some style critics point out she has a "short torso," meaning these high waists can sometimes look a bit cramped under the bust.
The "Too Big" Shoe Mystery
If you’ve ever looked closely at her feet in paparazzi shots, you’ll notice a gap at the heel. Her shoes often look a size or two too large.
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This isn't a mistake.
It’s actually a trick used by many celebrities who have to stand for hours. Feet swell. If you wear 4-inch stilettos that fit perfectly at 9:00 AM, your feet will be screaming by noon. By wearing shoes that are slightly too big, she prevents blisters and accommodates for that inevitable swelling. It’s a practical move for someone whose job involves standing on marble floors for half a day.
Comparing the Duchesses
It’s hard not to compare. People do it constantly.
- Meghan Markle: 5'6" (168 cm)
- Kate Middleton: 5'9" (175 cm)
- Princess Diana: 5'10" (178 cm)
Meghan is the shortest of the prominent royal women from the last few decades, excluding the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was about 5'4". This height difference is usually why Meghan opts for much higher heels than Kate. While Kate often sticks to a sensible 3.5-inch heel, Meghan is frequently spotted in 4.5-inch "sky-high" stilettos to bridge that gap when they are photographed together.
The Impact of Posture
Posture changes everything.
Meghan has a background in yoga (her mom, Doria, is an instructor), and it shows. She carries herself with a very straight spine and retracted shoulders. This "open" posture adds to the illusion of height. If you slouch at 5'6", you look 5'4". If you stand like Meghan, you look 5'7".
How to Use These Insights for Your Own Style
If you are looking up meghan markle how tall because you have a similar build, there are a few things you can actually use. You don't need a royal budget to look taller.
- Skip the Ankle Straps: Meghan almost never wears shoes with straps around the ankle. These "cut off" the leg. Stick to pumps or d'Orsay style shoes to keep the leg line long.
- Tailoring is King: She often wears coats that are tailored specifically to hit just below the knee or at the mid-calf. If a coat is too long, it swallows a 5'6" frame.
- The Tucked-In Shirt: Even in casual jeans, she almost always does a "French tuck" or a full tuck. This defines the waist and prevents the torso from looking like a shapeless block.
Ultimately, Meghan Markle proves that height is a vibe. Whether she’s 5'6" on paper or 5'11" in a pair of Sarah Flint heels, she knows how to work the angles. She isn't tall by Hollywood or Royal standards, but she uses every styling trick in the book to make sure she never looks small.
If you want to emulate her look, stop worrying about the number on the tape measure. Focus on the vertical line of your outfit. Match your shoes to your trousers. Stand up straight. That’s the real secret to the Duchess’s height.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your footwear: Look for pointed-toe flats or heels to elongate your legs without needing extra height.
- Try monochrome: Experiment with a single-color outfit this week to see how it changes your perceived height in photos.
- Check your hemline: Ensure your overcoats aren't cutting you off at the widest part of your calf; aim for just above or well below.