‘Well I do love red heads – and the name!’ Meghan Markle admits she ‘read a lot of Archie Comics’

Meghan Markle has said revealed she ‘read a lot of Archie Comics’ as a child – as she confessed she ‘loves red heads and the name’ on her latest podcast Archetypes.

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, released the third episode of her series today as she jetted to Dusseldorf for the launch of the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, the Paralympic-style event for servicemen and women founded by the prince.

The royal mother-of-two spoke with A-lister actress Mindy Kaling during the episode, discussing the  term ‘spinster’ and what it is like to be a mother.

During the episode, Meghan spoke of how she ‘romanticized’ the life portrayed in the magazines, explaining: ‘My son is not named after the comic books but I loved them. I collected them.’

After Archie Mountbatten Windsor was born on May 7 2019, fans of both the comic books and Riverdale — the CW teen drama based on the series — were delighted to learn that he shares a name with the red-headed title character Archie Andrews. 

The American comic book hero Archie is undoubtedly an icon, but he actually isn’t as widely known in the UK 

I was alone so much as a child, I read a lot of Archie Comic books. 

She continued: ‘I always wanted this cookie cutter perfect life – and you looked at that, and the boy in the letterman jacket…I romanticized that.

‘It’s all part of the things that make you have this idea of the things you want when you grow up.’

The Duchess went on to compare herself to the character Betty Cooper from the comics, who was a love interest of Archie. 

When Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their son’s name on their Instagram account on May 8 2019, fans couldn’t resist theorizing that they must be fans of the series 

The character was portrayed as popular, with a desire to help the homeless, read to the senior citizens, and rescue wounded animals and birds. 

Meanwhile she also loved cooking and was one of the most intelligent of the characters in the comic book series. 

Meghan said: ‘I’m way more Betty than Veronica and I’m the smart one, not the pretty one, and am I going to get the guy one day? All this stuff was wrapped up in reading Archie Comic books and It’s aspirational in some ways. 

She went on to giggle as she confessed: ‘I like red heads and I like the name Archie too! It’s full circle!’

The royal couple have not previously revealed why they chose the name Archie for their son, but have long been theories abound. 

Spotify today released the Duchess’ third podcast in her ‘Archetypes’ series, in which she speaks with The Office actress Mindy about the ‘stigma’ of life as a single woman, two hours earlier than expected

The American comic book hero is undoubtedly an icon, but he actually isn’t as widely known in the UK. 

However, his profile has increased in the UK thanks to the popularity of Riverdale and heartthrob KJ Apa, who plays Archie on the show.

When Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their son’s name on their Instagram account on May 8 2019, fans couldn’t resist theorizing that they must be fans of the series.

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa took to Twitter to celebrate the royal baby’s name, writing: ‘Best. Crossover. Ever. #Riverdale goes ROYAL. Congrats to the Meghan and Harry #archie!’

The episode was released today as Meghan and Harry headed to Germany on the next leg of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe

Meanwhile, the official account for the show tweeted a GIF of its flame-haired star putting his dukes up in a boxing ring with the caption, ‘Proud to be Archie.’

Spotify today released the Duchess’ third podcast in her ‘Archetypes’ series, in which she speaks with The Office actress Mindy about the ‘stigma’ of life as a single woman, two hours earlier than expected. 

The new podcast was expected to come out on the streaming service at 12.30pm today – like last week’s episode with Mariah Carey – but ended up being released two hours early at 10.30am as the couple head to Germany.

The description on Spotify says: ‘Meghan speaks candidly with Mindy Kaling who opens up in an unprecedented conversation about the joys, challenges, and stigmas of her life as a single, unmarried woman – plus her decision to start a family on her own.

‘This episode also features New York Magazine writer Rebecca Traister, who unpacks the many archetypes that have followed single women for generations.’

The episode was released today as Meghan and Harry headed to Germany on the next leg of their pseudo-royal tour of the UK and Europe – where police will close junctions and set up miles of roadblocks to stop them and their entourage being stuck in traffic.

On Thursday the couple will attend the WellChild Awards, which celebrate the bravery of young people from across the UK who have coped with a serious illness or disability.

The red carpet is being rolled out for the Sussexes on their first ever visit to Germany – even though their trip is as private citizens. The couple will be given the same sort of welcome afforded to visiting heads of state when they arrive for a reception and book signing at the town hall in Dusseldorf today.