Since standing down from their royal duties, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have kept a relatively low profile, only reentering the spotlight to urge people to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
Which means that anything they do that gives us a glimpse into their new lives in the States is bound to cause a stir.
So when Miss Markle made a rare appearance from her home to congratulate a very significant series finalist for America’s Got Talent, our interest was definitely piqued. The finalist, Archie Williams, was wrongfully convicted of rape and only found to be innocent after having spent decades in prison.
In the video, the 39-year-old addressed the contestant directly and expressed that both her and Prince Harry were “in [his] corner”.
But something we couldn’t help but notice? Markle’s ridiculously chic home backdrop.
And as we looked closer, we recognised some of the neatly stacked coffee table books perched behind her and we think that they paint a picture of a very cultured household.
Here are the titles we could spot and why they deserve a place in your home too.
Marc Hom: Profiles
Danish photographer Marc Hom is a highly sought-after fashion photographer who is responsible for some incredible magazine covers for Esquire and Town & Country, as well as portraits of actors.
A Photographers Life 1990-2005 by Annie Leibovitz
It seems the former Suits actress is also a fan of legendary photographer Annie Liebovitz, who has collated some of her most iconic portraits, as well as some personal images, in this tome.
Women: National Geographic Image Collection
This one is a powerful collection of photographs from women all over the world, including modern trailblazers such as Jane Goodall, Oprah Winfrey and Christiane Amanpour—all women that Markle seems to admire. But the book could potentially have been a gift to Prince Harry as he worked with National Geographic to launch a photograph competition last year.
The Black Godfather
Originally appearing as a 2019 Netflix documentary about music executive Clarence Avant, Markle has managed to get her hands on the coffee table book adaption. We could imagine that this was a gift from new business partners Netflix, whom the couple just signed a multi-million dollar deal with.
Wood And Iron: Industrial Interiors
The Duchess of Sussex may have been looking to this interior design book for some inspiration when decorating their new Montecito mansion. And, from the glimpses we’ve seen of the home, it definitely looks like the couple have taken some cues from classic industrial style decor such as the neutral colour palette and minimalist furniture.
Humans Of New York by Brandon Stanton
Almost a decade after its initial publication, this New York Times bestseller is still a staple the book collections of every home.
Described as a photographic census of the city, the book has been credited for shining a light on the beauty of everyday people and their stories.
As philanthropists, it’s no surprise that the Sussexes would reach for this read.
