The internet is bizarrely convinced that Meghan Markle has had bunion surgery on her feet
Meghan Markle has well and truly emerged as the winner of 2018. The erstwhile Suits actress scooped up Britain's most eligible bachelor back in May - by and by cementing her status as a member of the royal family. She then went onto nail duchess duties, and now, she's expecting the newest royal bub - ETA spring 2019.
Most recently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been travelling across Oceania, as part of their first ever Royal Tour. And while we have been regaled with images of Meghan's sartorial touchdowns, it's images of her feet that have taken the world by storm of late.
Thanks to some pictures of Meghan's feet from her visit to New Zealand, people think that the 37-year-old may have undergone bunion surgery at some point over the last few years.
Older photos of the Duchess show that she had noticeable bunions on the sides of her feet, but now, in the photographs from this week, they appear to have disappeared.
Credit: Instagram
When looking at pictures of Meghan's feet in 2013, you can clearly see the large, painful looking bumps on the outside of her feet, just below her big toe.
Credit: Instagram
And here's a closeup from her recent trip...
Credit: Instagram
As can be seen in the photograph above, the bunion has gone, and in its place is a fine, barely-noticeable scar. According to one surgeon, this is a tell-tale sign of a specific kind of surgery performed to remove irksome bunions.
"Meghan’s scar is 100% due to open bunion surgery," said Kumar Kunasingam - a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon. "While the scar is only 4-5cm long, this type of surgery can be very painful and it can take up to three months before patients can wear heels again."
Kunasingam then went onto explain how the surgery is performed, and what exactly caused the scar.
"The joint on metatarsal [the bone above the big toe] where bunions tend to occur has many layers. During surgery you have to cut through all these layers to get to the bone, which is then broken, straightened and pinned.
While keyhole surgery has a faster recovery time, it’s a lot less common in the US and Canada which is where I imagine Meghan had hers done."
Contrary to popular belief, bunions are not caused by wearing high heels. Rather, the condition tends to be hereditary. Nonetheless, those who suffer from the bony lumps are recommended to wear flat, comfortable shoes which leave lots of room to accommodate the toes.
But thanks to royal protocol, this simply isn't an option for the Duchess of Sussex.
If Meghan ever requires bunion surgery again, however, we're sure she'll be privy to only the best podiatrists Kensington Palace has to offer. And of course, money is now no issue.