Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, a long-term resident of the Cotswolds, has advised Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, to adopt a more ordinary lifestyle to gain favor with locals, suggesting she emulate the relatable approach of Kate Middleton.
Llewelyn-Bowen, 61, stated that Prince William and Kate Middleton maintain a lifestyle that, while comfortable, lacks the opulence often associated with royalty or Hollywood celebrities. He highlighted their involvement in everyday activities such as taking their children to school, sports fixtures, and other extracurricular practices. "I think this is the sort of life Harry wants," Llewelyn-Bowen commented. "If Meghan can lean into that and relax a bit, enjoy it and let us appreciate her for who she actually is, rather than who she feels she ought to be, that's one of the [important] things."
He described Kate Middleton as someone who shows genuine interest when speaking with people, contrasting this with a perceived attempt to make a statement. "When she smiles at someone, it's like a floodlight. She is absolutely fixed on who they are and what they are saying," he said. Llewelyn-Bowen noted that the public desires relatable royals, especially when they interact with them. He suggested that King Charles has become more relatable in recent years.
The interior designer also recalled Prince Harry's grounded demeanor during his upbringing in the Cotswolds, mentioning instances of him queuing for food or appearing tired at a supermarket on Sunday mornings. "The royals used to be quite distant but now, when they do descend from the heavens, when we do bump into them, we want them to be relatable," he explained.
Llewelyn-Bowen pointed out that the British public's relationship with celebrities differs from the American approach. "When Brits see you in the street, they feel that they are part of your fame. They've paid the licence fee. it's like they are small investors, so they do feel quite proprietorial," he said. He added that this proprietary feeling is expressed through casual interactions rather than sycophancy, a cultural nuance he believes Meghan may find challenging.
He suggested that embracing the local environment, even down to its muddy conditions, could help Meghan connect with the community. "She is going to have to watch the white jeans, because it's so muddy here. We need to see muddy Meghan at the tandoori. Just by doing that, she'd seduce the nation," he remarked.
Llewelyn-Bowen believes the Cotswolds offer a unique blend of international appeal, with celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and the Beckhams frequenting the area, which could be attractive to Meghan. He also speculated that Prince Harry's return to the UK is driven by a desire to rebuild his life and provide his children with a British identity and education, influenced by his own challenging childhood experiences.
Previously, Llewelyn-Bowen had described Meghan as "The Duchess Of Beige" and expressed a hope that the couple would incorporate more color into their home, aligning with the traditional vibrancy of Cotswolds architecture. He also noted his personal lack of enthusiasm for jam, a product associated with Meghan's business venture, though he expressed intrigue in her wildflower sprinkles and suggested a potential collaboration with Lady Bamford of Daylesford.
Llewelyn-Bowen hosts "The Royal Beat" on True Royalty TV and is preparing to launch his YouTube channel, "LLB The Home of Home."