Meghan Markle misses her "care-free" life as an actor and wishes she could get it back, according to a royal source.

The Duchess of Sussex was a well-known actress in the legal drama Suits, but after entering the royal fold her fame hit new heights - which in turn brought increased scrutiny.

The source claims the mum-of-two wants, in a signifcant respect, wants "her old life back".

They told OK!: "Meghan has made no secret of how much she misses her care-free life when she was an actress and while she’d never change what she has with Harry and the kids, there is a big part of her that she wishes she could just get her old life back."

The source went on to say that despite the fame afforded to her by her role in the hit TV show, which has since undergone a major revival, earning her additional royalities, becoming a member of the Firm ramped up the pressure she was under.

"She loved being in Suits and all the opportunities it gave her, she’d get invited to all the exclusive events and get to hang out with Hollywood A-listers but there was so much less scrutiny and attention and there was no pressure on her."

That said, Meghan's royal fame has given her opportunities to boost her income markedly.

Ulrike Grunewald, who is working on 'Harry - the lost Prince' which is due to air on the ZDF network in Germany in December, has claimed Meghan may release a book containing her diary entries from her time in the UK.

"We know that Meghan kept a diary during her days in Great Britain but if she writes a book about it will people believe what she is telling?" said Grunewald.

"I remember vividly the impact of Princess Diana‘s [book and] Panorama interview in 1995. It did more harm to her than to the Royal Family in the end. It is still the same: the most damaging allegations can only come from within.

"With the Sussexes there is always the feeling of a missed opportunity on both sides - for them being successful working royals within the system and for the Royal Family to present a more modern face that appeals to a younger audience."