Caprice Bourret: ‘Meghan Markle will feel such pressure in shallow LA’

She just welcomed her second child with husband Prince Harry, but Meghan Markle’s birth and newborn experience will be worlds away from her first.

Back in 2019, Meghan, now 39, gave birth to Archie in the UK, while she was a member of the royal family – but this time around, Meghan will be having her baby in California, where she and Harry, 36, moved after they stepped back as senior royals in 2020.

After Meghan’s first baby, royal expert Katie Nicholl told Closer that the former actress – who rose to fame in legal drama Suits and also worked as a model – was in no rush to regain her pre-baby body, saying she was gently easing herself back into exercise with yoga and walking.

Meghan earned praise for appearing two days after giving birth in an outfit which showed she still had a bit of a bump.

She has clearly struggled with body image issues in the past as, in an unearthed extract from her blog “The Tig”– which she closed down after she began dating Harry – Meghan wrote that she previously felt an expectation to look good, saying, “My 20s were brutal – a constant battle with myself, judging my weight, my style, my desire to be as cool/as hip/as smart/as ‘whatever’ as everyone else.”

Supermodel Caprice Bourret – who was born and bred in California – says that she fears it’ll be hard to escape the pressure that’s put on new mums to get back into shape in image-obsessed LA.

Caprice, 49 – who had her sons Jett and Jax, both seven, there – says, “While LA is amazing, it’s also one of the most shallow places in the world – so naturally it’s one of the best places in the world to snap back into shape after having a baby.

“Everyone wants to tone up right away – it’s like a competition. I remember being pregnant in LA and my girlfriends were giving me tips on how to keep the pregnancy cravings at bay. I was like, ‘What?’ But they were recommending hippy things like an ear rubbing technique to stave off hunger. Meghan is into Reiki – so I can imagine that she’d love that type of stuff, too.

“I even remember my doula advising me on how to breastfeed my sons to preserve the shape of my boobs so they didn’t sag. It was crazy!

“There are these chambers for hyperbaric oxygen therapy available in LA – where you breathe in pure oxygen to help you heal and get your body back quicker. Baby yoga is a big thing, too – all new moms do it. It’s seen as a bonding and nurturing experience and good to get you to tone up.

“Everyone in LA is so incredibly gorgeous and perfect, so I can imagine Meghan would be feeling that pressure, too. You want to look good, especially in the industry she’s in, and if she wants to go back to acting one day. Harry is also younger than her – and LA is like a candy store of gorgeous girls. She’ll feel the heat.

“But, as I’ve been there myself, I’d advise her to try not to let the pressure get to her – having a newborn is such an amazing experience. It may seem like that’s what she should be doing, but she doesn’t need to give in to that culture.”

Since moving to the States, Harry and Meghan have thrown themselves into their careers in the bright lights of Hollywood.

After their sensational Oprah interview aired in March – where they made claims of racism within the royal family and Meghan told how she had been suicidal while living in the UK – Harry teamed up with the TV presenter as part of an Apple TV mini series around mental health. In the series, he launched further shots at his family and upbringing.

Check out: 9 times Meghan Markle dressed like Princess Diana

The pair have also signed deals with streaming giant Netflix and music platform Spotify, and Meghan has released her first children’s book.

And a source tells Closer that Meghan – who previously described acting as her “passion” – is keen to get back to work after she and the baby have settled. She is even hoping to return to acting, but is aware that she may feel pressure to shape up if she does so.

WATCH: Danielle Lloyd's pregnancy announcement with Closer magazine: Behind The Scenes

READ MORE

Real Housewives of Cheshire's Rachel Lugo slams ex-boyfriend

Is Kate Middleton following in Princess Diana's fashion footsteps?

TOWIE's Kelsey Stratford branded 'unbelievable' after blonde hair transformation

The source says, “Meghan is focused on motherhood, but she’s also very driven and so will be focusing on her work alongside it all.

“Acting has always been one of her biggest passions and it made her happiest. She was devastated to have to drop that when she joined the royals. But later this year, she’s hoping to take it up again, especially being in LA, the acting capital of the world.

“She knows a lot of acting is about image and looking the part – but despite this, Meghan is adamant she wants to take her time getting her body back.

“She’s been doing low-impact exercise, like gentle indoor cycling and hikes with Harry, to stay healthy during her pregnancy.

“She’ll go easy after she’s had the baby and only start exercising when it’s safe to do so. Meghan will tone up again in a healthy and sensible way.”

Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.