Meghan Markle says 'she’d ask people to tell the truth’ if she could rewrite her public narrative

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle opened up about what she would do differently in hindsight during her appearance on the 'Aspire with Emma Grede' podcast. 

During the episode, the podcast host Emma Grede asked the Duchess of Sussex about her thoughts on how the public perceives her and what, if anything, she would change.

“Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth,” Meghan replied without faltering. 

Meghan Markle reflects on public perception in podcast interview

"I wanted to ask you a little bit about the public narrative, because when you sign up to be an actress, you know that people are going to start recognizing you, they're going to start speaking to you on the street. But that's very different from what you have now," the cofounder and CEO of Good American asked Meghan Markle.

"It is, Emma! It's very different," the  Duchess of Sussex said. 

Emma introduced her next question by noting she wanted to phrase it in the "best way," then asked Meghan, "If you could rewrite your public narrative from scratch, is there anything that you would do differently?"

"Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth," the mother of two said.

Vanity Fair teased that Meghan was set to spill all about her hustle — from selling homemade scrunchies as a child to building her latest passion project, As Ever (formerly known as American Riviera Orchard), as she opens up to Emma about the highs, lows, and grit behind launching her brand from scratch.

Meghan Markle reflects on viral twerking video and life behind the scenes

In the episode, Meghan Markle also addressed the now-viral video she recorded from the delivery room before giving birth to Princess Lilibet — a clip she posted on Instagram on June 4 to mark her daughter’s fourth birthday.

In the caption, she wrote, “Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work — there was only one thing left to do!”

Speaking with Emma, Meghan said, “Just be authentic. Did you see my ‘Baby Mama’ dance?”

The podcast host replied, “We maybe watched it like 20 times yesterday, and I was like, is that, is that her? Is that Prince Harry there with the fingers… I was like, okay…good on Harry, let’s go. But that’s you, right? Like that’s you in a way that we kind of haven't been able to see you before.”

She went on, “And I did like a little secret cheer, ‘cause I was like, well, that’s what I kind of want to see from you. Like I wanna see that happiness and that honesty and that ‘I don't give a f***’ kind of thing.”

Meghan then reminded listeners how old the video was, saying, “That was four years ago.”

“So it's also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there's still a whole life — a real, authentic, fun life — that’s happening behind the scenes," as per People. 

"I'm just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms," she added, referring to her personal social media handle.

The Duchess of Sussex made her return to Instagram in January, going back online for the first time in five years. Meghan had previously deactivated her personal accounts in 2017 as her relationship with Prince Harry became more public, and she and Harry later shut down their @SussexRoyal Instagram page in 2020 after stepping away from their royal duties.

Meghan Markle's new chapter with major projects in California

Meghan Markle was starring on 'Suits' when she met Prince Harry in 2016, and the two began dating shortly after. They tied the knot in 2018, with Meghan taking on the responsibilities of a working royal before the couple eventually stepped away from their official roles in 2020.

After stepping away from their roles as senior working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been candid about their experiences with media scrutiny and the lack of support they felt from the royal institution.

Now settled in Montecito, California, the couple is focused on family life with their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, while also pursuing personal and professional passions.

Meghan has had an eventful spring, marking the release of her Netflix special 'With Love, Meghan', the launch of her lifestyle brand As Ever, and the debut of her new podcast 'Confessions of a Female Founder' in partnership with Lemonada Media.