Meghan Markle's 'new look' as she makes her first public appearance since confirming she won't be attending King Charles' coronation on May 6 has got everyone talking.
The Duchess of Sussex confirmed she would be staying back in California at the US home she shares with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while the historical Westminster Abbey service takes place, which also falls on Archie's fourth birthday.
It means her husband will have to face the music alone at the landmark event, following months of growing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals after the couple's controversial Netflix series and Harry's bombshell memoir Spare, in which they aimed damaging allegations towards the monarchy.
But the latest talking point has turned the narrative away from the bitter family spats, as Meghan's fresh-faced new appearance has shocked people, with many speculating if she has gone under the knife for cosmetic work.
The 41-year-old debuted a new hairstyle, as reported by News Corp Australia, in her first appearance since confirming she would be skipping next month’s coronation.
Former working royal Meghan popped up with a video introduction for her friend, photographer Misan Harriman, ahead of his Ted Talk on Monday, with her usually wavy dark brown hair appearing much lighter, with a reddish hue, worn straight.
“Our next speaker has an unmatched eye for a good photograph,” Meghan said at the start of the clip.
“I’ve experienced his talent first-hand as he has captured many meaningful milestones for me and my family, and I know there are many others who share in this experience. His lens has photographed everything from events that have changed the world, invisible moments we all desperately needed to see, along with some of the planet’s most recognisable faces.
“But, this was not always his path and you might be surprised to hear not who but what he credits for his success. I am so thrilled to welcome to the TED stage my dear friend, Misan Harriman.”
The renowned photographer also captured the first birthday portrait for Prince Harry and Meghan’s daughter, Princess Lilibet, at Frogmore Cottage, and a gorgeous black-and-white picture of the couple lying in the garden of their Montecito estate, which they later used for their second pregnancy announcement.
And people were quick to take to social media to point out a similarity in her new look to that of singer Jennifer Lopez.
"The really straight hair makes her chin stand out and the highlights make her look more olive skinned or Spanish hence the JLO comments. I think she looks amazing as always xx," said one person.
Another wrote: "I’m not sure if it’s filler or really good concealer, but her under eyes look much better."
But some people were certain she had just stripped back her usually "heavy eye make-up," adding: "its just hair color, eyebrows, light eye makeup and lashes."
Someone else penned: "I feel like it's the light eye makeup she usually has quite dark eyes," whilst another wrote: "I think it's being stress free. It makes people glow in a unique way that can't be replicated."
Meghan’s brief video appearance was rare as she's kept a relatively low profile since the controversy surrounding the family dynamics have came under strain.
Following the new report in the Telegraph, a spokesman for Meghan stressed that the duchess is focused on “the present”.
“The Duchess of Sussex is going about her life in the present, not thinking about correspondence from two years ago related to conversations from four years ago,” the statement read.
“Any suggestion otherwise is false and frankly ridiculous. We encourage tabloid media and various royal correspondents to stop the exhausting circus that they alone are creating.”
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