ADVERTISEMENT

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are modern royals — and their lives couldn't be more different from Queen Elizabeth's at their age

Queen Elizabeth II led a much more traditional lifestyle in 1963, at age 36, than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today.

  • Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are both 36 years old. Queen Elizabeth II was 36 in 1963.
  • Queen Elizabeth's life then looked a lot different than Middleton's and Markle's lives look today.
  • For example, Markle and fiancé Prince Harry don't yet have kids — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were already married for 15 years and expecting their fourth child.
ADVERTISEMENT

Being a member of the British royal family today is a drastically different job than it was half a century ago.

Across the globe, people look at Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, both 36 years old, as the picture of elegance. People saw Queen Elizabeth II the same way in 1963, when she was 36 — but her lifestyle was rather more traditional. She'd been married for years, sported white gloves and pearls ... and definitely didn't use Instagram.

Below, we highlighted the starkest contrasts between Middleton's and Markle's lives today and Queen Elizabeth's when she was their age.

ADVERTISEMENT

At age 36, Queen Elizabeth had already been queen for 11 years. She was born into royalty: Her father was King George VI and her mother was Queen Elizabeth.

Source: ,

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, on the other hand, didn't come from royal blood. Middleton is still called the "Duchess of Cambridge," and Markle will likely be known as the "Duchess of Sussex" when she marries Prince Harry.

Source:

At 36, Queen Elizabeth had been married to Prince Philip for 15 years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source:

Markle, who has previously been married, will marry Prince Harry in May 2018, at age 36. Middleton, who was 29 at her wedding, was previously considered the oldest bride to marry into British royalty.

Source: ,

Queen Elizabeth was about to have her fourth child, Prince Edward, at age 36.

Source:

ADVERTISEMENT

Middleton is currently pregnant with her third child. Markle does not have any children.

Source:

Queen Elizabeth has long had a signature style, which Vogue reported includes bright, block colors, pearl necklaces, white gloves, headscarves, and plaid skirts.

Source:

Middleton and Markle have been spotted wearing some more affordable clothing brands, including Everlane, Zara, and Topshop (seen on Kate Middleton below).

ADVERTISEMENT

Markle has also broken royal fashion tradition by carrying a cross-body bag instead of a clutch. Middleton supposedly carries a clutch to avoid shaking hands with people without offending them.

Source:

When Queen Elizabeth was 36, Facebook was still four decades away.

Today, the entire royal family has more than 3 million followers on the Facebook-owned "Kensington Palace" Instagram account.

Source:

ADVERTISEMENT

We can only imagine what being British royalty will look like in another half-century ...

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Navigating the future: How AI transforms selling on Amazon

Navigating the future: How AI transforms selling on Amazon

Wall decor tips: Transforming your space with style and creativity

Wall decor tips: Transforming your space with style and creativity

Putin's African diplomacy: Security talks with West, Central Africa take centre stage

Putin's African diplomacy: Security talks with West, Central Africa take centre stage

Infinix users get over 35% exclusive discount on Showmax premier league & general entertainment subscription

Infinix users get over 35% exclusive discount on Showmax premier league & general entertainment subscription

ADVERTISEMENT