BEFORE she joined the royal family, Meghan Markle was enjoying a glamorous life as an actress in hit TV show Suits.

However, a royal author has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex, 38, “really regretted giving up” her showbiz career because her world since marrying Prince Harry “didn’t compare”.

Meghan Markle “really regretted” giving up her showbiz life to enter the royal family, claims royal author Sally Bedell Smith

Sally Bedell Smith, the Queen’s biographer, explained how the mum-of-one had become unhappy with her decision.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, the writer – who has also penned books on Prince Charles and Princess Diana – explained: “It seems now that she really regrets having had to give that up, and what she was expected to do in the royal family didn’t compare with what she had been accustomed to.”

The expert noted that there were “innumerable advantages and perks”, but that you were forced to give up “a lot of things that may have meant a lot to you”.

She added that the duchess “may not have seen it that way” when she married into the family.

Meghan gave up her acting career when she and Harry, 35, announced their engagement in 2017.

The duchess starred in Suits for seven years, and also ran successful blog The Tig.

It comes a day after The Sun exclusively revealed that the couple were offered the freedom to live without titles before their £23m wedding in 2018.

The Queen, 93, hoped it would smooth the actress’ transition into The Firm and allow her to carry on with her day job.