As well as being the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle has now taken home the title of “the most intelligent British royal,” according to a new study from Oxford Royale.
Using the royal family member’s A-level results and looking at the rankings of the universities they studied at, the academy was able to create a definitive ranking of the academic brainboxes of the family.
To determine which universities were best, Oxford Royale used the QS World University Rankings, which bases their list on each of the 1350 institutions according to their academic reputation, employer reputation, and faculty-to-student ratio.
Meghan came out on top as she is a graduate from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois - which is ranked 30 on the QS World Rankings for 2021 - where she studied for her double degree in theatre studies and international relations - what a smarty-pants!
“Life as a royal isn’t always an easy job and involves a lot of dealing with extensive scrutiny and life in the public spotlight, and Meghan Markle’s academic strengths have equipped her perfectly for this role,” Oxford Royale said in a statement, the Daily Express reported.
“While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have resigned from their roles as working royals, they have captured the interest and attention of the world, and Meghan’s desire to use her platform to raise awareness over serious world issues reflects her intelligence, analytical mind and educational pedigree.”
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Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton clinched second place as a former student at private Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England, where she achieved A grades in maths and art, and a B in English for her A-level.
She then attended the University of St Andrews in Scotland, currently ranked at number 91 on the 2021 QS World Rankings. It would also be the place where she would meet her future husband, Prince William in 2001, with the pair being on the same art history course (though William eventually changed to study geography).
Now that we’ve mentioned him, the Duke came in third on the rankings. Despite going to the same university as his wife, she’s ahead as a result of achieving better A-level results since William got an A in geography, a B in art and a C in biology.
While Meghan got the top spot, her husband Prince Harry failed to make it into the top ten as he didn’t attend university and got a B in art and a D in geography for his A-levels. The rebellious royal opted to join the army instead.
Elsewhere, Princess Eugenie ranked in fourth, while her sister Princess Beatrice came in at number 10. Princess Anne is in seventh position and her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall came in fifth and sixth respectively.
Here is the ranking by Oxford Royale:
1. Meghan Markle, Northwestern University
2. Kate Middleton, University of St Andrews
3. Prince William, University of St Andrews
4. Princess Eugenie, Newcastle University
5. Peter Phillips, Exeter University
6. Zara Tindall, Exeter University
7. Princess Anne, University of Aberdeen
8. Lady Kitty Spencer, University of Cape Town, European Business School
9. Camilla Parker Bowles, SOAS University of London
10. Princess Beatrice, Goldsmiths, University of London
