In the lead up to her wedding on 19 May, Meghan Markle's behaviour will be under intense public scrutiny given the fact that Great Britain - nay, the world - continue to fall head-over-heels for the American beauty.
Whether it's inspiring our wardrobes, joking with the public, or affectionately holding hands with Prince Harry, the Suits star's recent public appearances have given us much to discuss when it comes to ways we think she's going to shake up the Royal Family.
And, following her first official appearance alongside the Queen at yesterday's Commonwealth Day celebration, it seems we're not the only ones interested in Meghan's subtle modernisation of royal wedding etiquette protocol.
Grant Harrold, 'The Royal Butler' who previously served Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as well as Prince William and Prince Harry, just opened up to E! News about Meghan's 'modern approach' to royalty and explained the similarities between her and Princess Diana.
On the subject of Meghan hugging members of the public, Harold explains that while it's 'really, really sweet', it's not 'normally' something the Queen would do.
And we think it's utterly adorable.
'It's something younger people do,' Harrold continues. 'She's got her own way of doing things... You look at the energy of Princess Diana and she was very much somebody that would hug people. She was famous for it, wasn't she?
'None of the rest of the royal family hugged. It just wasn't the done thing. Now the younger royals, Princes William and Harry, you see them hugging... So it's their way of doing it. They are very much copying what their mother did, which is fantastic.'
Hugging members of the royal family has caused quite the stir over the years, despite the fact there are 'no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family', according to the Monarchy's website.
In 2009, Michelle Obama caused controversy by giving the Queen a hug, years after former Australian Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard reportedly were criticised for their supposed over familiarity with the Monarch.
However, while traditional forms of greeting such as a 'neck bow' or a 'small curtsy' are the norm, it doesn't seem to be stopping the younger members of the Royal Family from reaching out and showing affection for the public.
However, one thing Meghan might need to change when it comes to her interactions with the likes of you and me is how she adapts to her new celebrity lifestyle.
Harrold predicts the 36-year-old will 'definitely [be] discouraged' from signing photos of herself for fans, and notes that posing for photographs is 'obviously a big thing' that royals try to steer clear of.
Unlike Kate Middleton, Harrold reveals that Markle's background might present some bumps along the way in terms of cultural differences between the UK and the US.
'It's a different way of life,' he remarks, 'a different culture, completely different upbringing. So it's probably more difficult that she's got to learn not just about how to be a royal, but also learn the British way of life.'
However, Harold adds that Markle is fortunate to have 'a wonderful sister-in-law who she can speak to, follow her lead and watch how she does it'.
We have no doubt Kate will be a helping hand in showing Meghan the ropes.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
