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PUT YOUR FEET UP

Meghan Markle ‘had toe-breaking surgery to perfect her feet’ after ‘onion-like bunion’ left her in agony

The Duchess of Sussex ditched her favourite Manolo Blahnik heels and went barefoot at a traditional Maori ceremony in New Zealand

MEGHAN Markle may have had secret and agonising bunion surgery in a quest to get perfect feet, a surgeon says. 

After ditching her favourite Manolo Blahnik heels, the Duchess of Sussex went barefoot for a formal Māori welcoming ceremony in New Zealand on Wednesday and a small faded scar can be seen on the inside of her left foot.

 Meghan ditched her Manolo's for a traditional Maori ceremony
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Meghan ditched her Manolo's for a traditional Maori ceremonyCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Meghan's scar on the side of her foot was clearly visible at the formal ceremony
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Meghan's scar on the side of her foot was clearly visible at the formal ceremony

“Meghan’s scar is 100% due to open bunion surgery,” Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon for , Kumar Kunasingam, claims.

“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."

Meghan - whose designer shoe collection is worth thousands and includes heels from Aquazzura, Manolo Blahnik and Stuart Weitzmann - is thought to have had surgery in 2014 after suffering bunions for at least four years.

“The joint on metatarsal [the bone above the big toe] where bunions tend to occur has many layers,” Kumar explains to Fabulous.

“During surgery you have to cut through all these layers to get to the bone, which is then broken, straightened and pinned.”

 Meghan's bunions looked swollen and sore in 2013 (l) and 2010 (r)
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Meghan's bunions looked swollen and sore in 2013 (l) and 2010 (r)
 Meghan's painful bunions were visible at New York Fashion week in 2013
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Meghan's painful bunions were visible at New York Fashion week in 2013Credit: Getty - Contributor

“A bunion is a bit like an onion," he adds. "It has so many layers and both pre and post-surgery they can make you cry.”

But was it Meghan’s love of designer heels that cause her to get bunions in the first place?

Not entirely.

“It’s a myth that high heels cause bunions,” says Kumar. “They can be aggravated and made sore by certain choices of footwear but bunions are hereditary. It affects 25% of the population and is more common in women.'

Other female stars who appear to have suffered from bunions include Victoria Beckham, Amal Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Tilda Swinton.

“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," Kumar adds.

Toe-curling and painful

By CAROL COOPER, Sun Doctor

BUNIONS are bony lumps on the insides of the feet and make the big toes point in the wrong direction.
Wearing wide shoes with soft soles and bunion pads can ease the pain but won’t get rid of the bunions. And they tend only to get worse.
Surgery involves removing the bony lump and realigning the toe.
It takes weeks to recover as it’s difficult to walk afterwards and the skin of the foot may not heal as well as skin elsewhere on the body.
But the result tends to be very good and the scar is pretty acceptable to look at, as in Meghan’s case.

 Meghan's scars are still pink in 2015
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Meghan's scars are still pink in 2015
 Victoria's famously suffered from bunions
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Victoria's famously suffered from bunionsCredit: Rex Features
 Meghan's friend Amal Clooney also appears to have the condition
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Meghan's friend Amal Clooney also appears to have the conditionCredit: WENN
 Actress Tilda Swinton's bunions look sore as she steps out in New York
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Actress Tilda Swinton's bunions look sore as she steps out in New YorkCredit: Rex Features

"I’m surprised she went to open surgery because the recovery is very painful, " he continues.

"The wound remains very sore and the joint very stiff. It’s likely she would’ve been off her feet for 6-8 weeks at least.

Following the op - which can take up to an hour - patients often have to bath or shower with plastic bags on their feet for up to six weeks and can sometimes need help doing simple thinks like washing or going to the loo.

"After surgery Meghan may have been in plaster, had her foot bandaged or have been in a surgical boot which Victoria Beckham was recently seen wearing.”

 Victoria Beckham was seen in February wearing a surgery boot similar to what Meghan may have worn
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Victoria Beckham was seen in February wearing a surgery boot similar to what Meghan may have wornCredit: Splash News

“That said, as an actress, Meghan’s job at the time of surgery would have involved long hours on her feet, lots of flying so I imagine she would have had bespoke physiotherapy and an icing regime to help her feet recover as quickly as possible.

"As for getting her Manolos back on – it could have taken up to three months."

Prince Harry speaks of making a difference as he and Meghan Markle don traditional Maori cloaks and join community in song in Rotorua, New Zealand

But since her operation Kumar notes that Meghan, 37, has made intelligent choices with her footwear.

“In 2015 you can see her scar is still pink yet she’s deliberately chosen heels that don’t rub on the area.

"There’s also a lot of give and room in her shoes and I imagine it’s all because of her bunion surgery.”

 Meghan's feet have been called 'ugly' by trolls in the past
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Meghan's feet have been called 'ugly' by trolls in the pastCredit: Getty Images - Getty

In the past, Meghan's toes have been attacked by cruel trolls who mocked her ‘spidery’ and ‘bunion-ridden’ size 7 feet. 

The foot-phobes blasted that she "should NEVER wear sandals" and was "quite hot" but had "ugly feet."

One royal watcher on tumblr, who goes by the name of Jersey Deanne, had obviously been urging the Duchess to have foot surgery to remove the bunion with a poster commenting that, "It does look like she took your advice, JD and fixed her feet."

Another posted: "The photo you posted of her feet clearly shows surgery sutures on the left. It appears she has had bunion surgery."

 One user on tumblr commented on a blog that she had taken their advise to get surgery
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One user on tumblr commented on a blog that she had taken their advise to get surgeryCredit: jerseydeanne.com

But while Meghan may have endured the agonising surgery, it doesn't mean she'll be bunion free for life.

"There is a risk with open surgery that the bunions can some back," says Kumar.

"Hopefully she'll be okay but were she to need surgery again, I would advise she had a keyhole procedure."

Earlier this week a royal body language expert revealed who’s REALLY the boss in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship.

British solestry expert Jane Sheehan, who has 20 years of experience analysing feet, said Meghan's feet indicate she is a born leader.

Meanwhile, we previously told you why Princess Charlotte isn't allowed to wear trousers.

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