Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Photo / Getty Images
Thomas Markle has made a bombshell claim that daughter Meghan is struggling to cope with the switch from TV to royalty and he can "see her pain in her smile".
He has voiced his concern about pressure being piled on the Duchess of Sussex, as she comes to terms with life as a busy member of the royal family, said the
.
Describing himself as "worried" about his daughter, he added that her "pained smile" might show that she is struggling to cope with the pressure of taking on royal duties.
Markle said: "I can see it in her eyes, I see it in her face and I see it in her smile. I've seen her smile for years. I know her smile. I don't like the one I'm seeing now," he told The Sun on Sunday.
However, there has been little sign of her so-called "pained smile" in recent days.
Since joining The Firm on May 19, her diary has been jam-packed with royal events — including a day out at Ascot, a family wedding and, this week, her first foreign tour.
Harry and Meghan were described as looking "very happy" as they dined on lamb and hake at a Dublin restaurant four days ago.
Manager Grace Davis told
Vanity Fair
the newlyweds made the booking "some time ago" via Palace aides and pre-ordered their meals from the menu, which includes traditional dishes made from seasonal ingredients.
The eatery was closed to the public so that the couple could enjoy their meal - washed down with Irish coffee and Guinness - away from prying eyes, and they were seated in "the snug", a cosy corner tucked away towards the rear of the venue.
Last month saw Meghan beam as she took to the streets of London during the Trooping the Colour to mark the Queen's 92nd birthday.
And she also enjoyed her first solo outing with the Queen in Chester.
Body language experts analysing the royals' interaction last month, as they attended a bridge opening, met with local officials and visited a library said that while Meghan appeared deferential and nervous, she was above all gloriously happy to be in the monarch's company.
Meanwhile, it was a happy-looking Meghan pictured in an all-white get-up at Royal Ascot - when she was compared to Eliza Doolittle from the hit musical
My Fair Lady
.
The new free open-air saltwater pool is already proving popular.