Meghan Markle has insisted that she has ‘normal’ friends who are ‘not in the public eye’ after a slew of A-listers made appearances on new Netflix show.

The Duchess, 43, spoke about her inner circle with People off the heels of the premiere of her new home entertaining show.

The eight-episode series, called With Love, Meghan, shows the former Suits star hosting her her pals in a mansion of Montecito, California, as they whip up fabulous meals together and create magical home décor moments.

Notable guests have included actress Mindy Kaling, socialite Delfina Blaquie, and acclaimed makeup mogul Victoria Jackson – but despite the star-studded appearances, Markle vowed that she has some pals who are just like everyone else.

The former royal told People that she has ‘a couple of girlfriends’ who aren’t in the spotlight, and explained that they connected over their love of Pilates or through her two kids, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

‘I have a couple of girlfriends up here – these are stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye,’ Markle dished.

‘We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls’ nights out or doing Pilates together.’

Despite being one of the most well-known faces on the globe, the former royal said she loves to go to group fitness classes. 

‘I go to group classes that sometimes have 40 to 50 people in them and just walk in like, “Hi!”‘ Markle said.

‘Of course, at the beginning, that felt like a lot. By the way, I think anybody walking into a yoga class with 50 people when you’re one of the last people that walk in and everyone looks up, it’s going to feel a little uncomfortable,’ she continued.

Markle explained that she prefers group classes because they are a great way to ‘connect’ with others.  

‘The other day in class, I was there by myself – sometimes I go with girlfriends, but I went by myself – and in the middle of the class they said, “Great, tell the person on your mat next to you that they’re doing a great job, give them a fist pump,”‘ Markle recalled to People.

‘And I looked over and there was someone over there, and I was like [miming a fist bump], “Well done!” and then I looked to the other side and there was someone else and I went, “Nicely done! Come on, guys!”‘ she shared. 

‘I mean, that’s part of how you connect. I love it. It’s the best. I had missed it. It’s awesome.’

In the past, Markle has spoken about her favorite ways to stay fit, and it doesn’t only include Pilates.

According to Women’s Health Australia, the former Tig blogger has also gushed about her love for yoga and running.

She has said that yoga has many benefits, including reduced anxiety and increased flexibility.

In addition, Markle also does some strength training, or at least she used to, during her days on Suits, which filmed in Canada. 

In 2020, her former personal trainer, Craig McNamee, C.S.C.S., who is the founder of Catalyst Health in Toronto, told Women’s Health Magazine that Markle worked out in the morning, where they did a ‘low-weight strategy.’

‘Generally speaking, we had a full-body approach,’ McNamee told the outlet at the time.

‘And since Meghan was onscreen, we really focused on posture,’ he said, explaining that  they particularly focused on glute, back, and hamstring exercises.

They would also work out the core – like her abs, back and pelvic floor. 

‘Meghan is dedicated to her health, it’s a big aspect of her life—so for her, now it’s about keeping up with the workouts we did together, and making them count,’ he added.

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