Meghan Markle has Morton’s toe, and you may have it too

Here’s something you might not know about Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex: She has a long toe. Well, two to be exact.

Meghan Markle has a condition called Morton’s Toe, which means that her second toes are longer than her big toes. This first became obvious to eagle-eyed observers when the Duchess wore sandals in recent months while traveling with her new husband, Prince Harry.

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Morton’s Toe is a genetic condition in which the second metatarsal is longer than the first, making the second toe a bit longer than the big toe. It occurs in about 10-20% of the population. Morton’s toe is also called “Greek foot” or “Royal Toe.” How apropos for the newest member of the royal family!

The term “Greek foot” came about because many Greek statues were sculpted with this same unique foot structure — ancient Greeks simply appreciated the aesthetics of it. But the toe syndrome extends far beyond the borders of Greece. In fact, none other than the Statue of Liberty herself has Morton’s Toe.

We can now add this real royal to the list of famous people (and statues) with the royal toe. As you can see in the photo below, from 2010 — years before Markle became the Duchess of Sussex — her second toe is distinctly longer than her big toe:

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Despite the nicknames, Morton’s Toe is not all galas and horse-drawn carriages. It can potentially lead to foot pain, as the second toe ends up taking most of the force of each footstep. The constant pressure on the second toe can also lead to calluses developing on the ball of the foot near the second toe.

The condition can also lead to black toenails or bruising. Another common side effect: overpronation, the excessive inward turning of the foot inward while walking. Overpronation can often cause foot pain and other issues.

If Morton’s Toe is causing pain or other problematic symptoms, it’s best to visit a doctor. Podiatrists can help you find special shoes to correct overpronation and protect the second toe from undue pressure. In some cases, a custom orthotic may be required to help properly cushion the foot.

Sadly, some mean social media jabs were lobbed at Markle after pictures of her feet went viral. Hmm. Sounds to us like they are just jealous that the glass slipper fit Markle so perfectly.