Meghan Markle’s hairstylist explains the realities of meeting her demands

These restrictions, combined with Markle’s expectations, created a high-wire act that sources say defined her short royal tenure.

A former assistant said, “She was used to teams repeating until it felt right. The institution works on finality. That tension was reflected even in something as basic as hair.”

Northwood’s comments that Harry always noticed Markle’s appearance also underscore how closely he followed those details.

One source said: “It was an early sign of how in love he was with Meghan – and how much she had him under her spell.”

Although Markle later stepped back from his royal duties, those royal trips remain an example of the clash between Hollywood customs and monarchy protocol.

A fashion industry source said: “Forty looks in three weeks is standard for a press conference. In royal life it was unprecedented. It told you everything about how Meghan saw the role.

“She joined the royal family and thought she should be treated like some kind of Hollywood star.”

Northwood, who counts Lily Collins and Gwyneth Paltrow among his clients, described the experience as transformative rather than fraught.

But to palace guards, the numbers of looks he created for the ‘Diva Duchess’ speak for themselves – a relentless pace that symbolized Meghan’s refusal to fade quietly into the background, even under the strictest restrictions.