Meghan Markle's Facialist Opens up About Her 'Kind, Generous and Inspiring' Friend

Monique Jessen
·5 min read

Sarah Chapman is the celebrity facialist responsible for Meghan Markle’s wedding day glow. Now, the skincare expert is opening up about her “inspiring” friendship with the Duchess of Sussex.

“I feel really lucky to have built a great friendship with Meghan,” Sarah Chapman tells PEOPLE, revealing why the time they spent together in the run-up to the royal wedding was so special.

“It was an amazing experience and I really got to know her and the kind of person that she is: kind, generous, inspiring and always considering how she can help other people," she said.

Last month, Chapman posted a touching Instagram message with similar sentiments, sharing pictures of her famous client’s “glowing skin moments,” which included a close-up of Meghan’s natural look on her wedding day. It also included a picture of Meghan attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, her last royal engagement before leaving the U.K. with Prince Harry in March.

Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Meghan Markle

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Through my work I am fortunate to meet some incredible, interesting and inspirational people and over the past 2 ½ years I feel honoured to have spent much time with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. With Meghan, what began as a client relationship quickly turned into a dear friendship and she welcomed me into their lives. I feel very grateful to be a small part of their journey observing the passion for everything they do and compassion for the causes and people they meet, but also to witness the moments other people don’t see. Who they are at home, as parents, as partners, and friends, the kind and very down to earth people they are when no one is watching. Every day we learn something new and I have been taught so much by them, and I always leave our time together feeling fulfilled and inspired to help people in any small ways I can. I am happy to share with fond memories some of these glowing skin moments I helped create for Meghan with our natural approach to beauty and look forward to many more in the future. And to Meghan, Harry and little Archie: sending lots of love and positivity during this transition. I know there will be so many ways you will continue to touch people’s lives and enable positive change and we can’t wait to see what you do next. See you soon and thank you for everything you do. SC x #harryandmeghan #thedukeandduchessofsussex #sarahchapman #skinesis

A post shared by Sarah Chapman Skinesis (@skinesis) on Apr 3, 2020 at 6:04am PDT

“It felt like it was the time to say something, things have changed,” London-based Chapman says, referring to the couple’s decision to step back from royal life and their relocation to the U.S.

“It’s nice to be able to share the relationship that we’ve got and what a great person she is,” adds the skincare expert, whose clients also include Victoria Beckham and Anne Hathaway.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day, March 9, 2019

After receiving recommendations from "a few different people," Meghan first visited Chapman’s Chelsea clinic in the days before her royal engagement to Prince Harry was officially announced. Chapman was also by Meghan’s side on the eve of her wedding in May 2018.

“With Meghan, I was lucky to be able to see her the evening before the wedding to really get her skin moisturized, nourished and bright for it to look so naturally gorgeous on the day.”

Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Meghan Markle

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Known for her signature deep lymphatic massage technique, the sought-after facialist (her hands are insured for a staggering $1.2 million), says she always felt inspired in Meghan’s company.

“We talked, we laughed, we would chat about stuff and I always left feeling like I could change the world — that’s the person she is,” says Chapman. “She has a really selfless approach to things and a really strong desire to help people, so that’s really inspiring to be around and almost absorb that incredible energy.”

When it comes to royal-approved beauty tips, Chapman’s lips are sealed, but she does say she would recommend her Radiance Recharge System before big events, such as weddings.

“It’s basically a 10-night intensive program using lots of vitamin C, exfoliants and hyaluronic acid — it’s a really good way to kick start the brightening,” she shares.

Sarah Chapman

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Visiting Los Angeles several times a year for pop-up clinics, often at the exclusive members club San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood, Chapman is sure to be visiting the family of three in the future, but she’s still sad they left the U.K.

“It’s a shame that we don’t have them here in the country anymore — there’s so much that they do that people don’t necessarily see," she says.

Samir Hussein/WireImage Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Endeavour Fund Awards

As for keeping that wedding glow, Chapman says much of it is skin deep.

“Inner beauty shines through with people, you can see it in their skin if someone is radiating happiness and health — there’s so much more to it than just skincare products," she adds.