Meghan Markle's royal strain

The 36-year-old American actress has told friends: 'I'm not sure this is what I signed up for,' as the stress of marrying into the monarchy begins to tell. 

Despite already having one foot in the door - the former Suits actress has already moved into Kensington Palace with Prince Harry - Meghan has become the subject of a cruel online petition, where people are signing to say they believe she shouldn't be given a royal title after they marry on May 19. 

The Change.org petition already has thousands of signatures, with many believing that Meghan: 'Has shown her disrespect for the monarch and royal family by pulling faces and sticking her tongue out during her first public appearance with the Queen.'

And the public backlash is all proving too much for Meghan. The star secretly flew home alone after a short New Year break with Harry in Monaco and was consoled by her loving mother Doria Ragland, who she calls her 'best friend.' 

A pal in London revealed that: 'Meghan just needed the loving arms of her mum because it's all been getting a bit too much recently.

'Like any bride-to-be, she is under enormous pressure to make sure everything is OK on the big day.

'Meghan is slowly finding our, as Diana did, that you marry not just the man, but also the institution with all its petty rules and regulations.' 

The source adds, 'She just feels if she can't control her own wedding what can she be sure of? 

'She doesn't regret saying yes to Harry, but she certainly knows now that it's not all going to be plain sailing.' 

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