Early Life and Education
Birth and Family Background
Rachel Meghan Markle ,Duchess of Sussex was born on August 4, 1981, at West Park Hospital in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California. She identifies as biracial, stating, “My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African American. I’m half black and half white.” Her parents are Doria Ragland, a former makeup artist born in 1956, and Thomas Markle Sr., a television lighting director and director of photography born in 1944. They divorced when she was six years old, after separating when she was two.
Upbringing and Education
Meghan Markle was raised in View Park-Windsor Hills, Los Angeles, and attended the Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse. At age 11, she successfully campaigned to have a Procter & Gamble advertisement’s language changed to be more gender-neutral. Raised as a Protestant, she graduated from Immaculate Heart High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Los Angeles. Meghan participated in plays and musicals during high school and volunteered at a soup kitchen in Skid Row, Los Angeles.
College and Early Career
In 1999, she enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and did volunteer work with the Glass Slipper Project. Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) Markle considered a political career and interned as a junior press officer at the American embassy in Buenos Aires. However, she did not score high enough on the Foreign Service Officer Test to continue with the US State Department. She studied abroad in Madrid and graduated in 2003 with a double major in theater and international studies from Northwestern’s School of Communication.
Acting Career
Early Struggles and Roles
Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) faced challenges in her early acting career, often being seen as “ethnically ambiguous” and not fitting into roles specifically for black or white actors. To support herself, she worked as a freelance calligrapher and taught bookbinding. Her first on-screen role was a nurse on the soap opera General Hospital. Meghan Markle had guest roles on various TV shows, including Century City, The War at Home, and CSI: NY. She joined SAG-AFTRA through her role in Century City under the Taft-Hartley Act.
Television and Film
She appeared in several films, including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me, and Horrible Bosses. In July 2011, Meghan Markle joined the cast of the USA Network’s Suits, playing Rachel Zane, a role she held until late 2017. Her character started as a paralegal and eventually became an attorney. During her time on Suits, she lived in Toronto for nine months each year.
Personal Life
First Marriage
![Trevor Engelson Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) first husband](https://i0.wp.com/keymantermlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tave-e1717072874921.jpg?resize=150%2C150)
Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) began dating American film producer Trevor Engelson in 2004, and they married in Jamaica on August 16, 2011. The couple separated in July 2013 and divorced in February 2014, citing irreconcilable differences. Meghan then had a nearly two-year relationship with Canadian chef Cory Vitiello, which ended in May 2016.
Marriage to Prince Harry
![Prince Harry](https://i0.wp.com/keymantermlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Prince-Harry-e1717073330553.jpg?resize=238%2C148)
In mid-2016, Meghan began dating Prince Harry. Their relationship became public in November 2016, leading to intense media scrutiny. Prince Harry issued a statement condemning the media’s treatment of Meghan. The couple made their first public appearance together in September 2017 at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Their engagement was announced on November 27, 2017.
Wedding and Children
Meghan and Prince Harry were married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) wore a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller. The couple initially lived at Nottingham Cottage in London before moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Their first child, Archie, was born on May 6, 2019, and their daughter, Lilibet, was born on June 4, 2021. In early 2020, they stepped down as senior royals and moved to Southern California, where they purchased a home in Montecito.
Professional Ventures and Public Engagements
Post-Royal Life
In 2020, Meghan Markle and Harry launched Archewell Inc., a blend of for-profit and nonprofit ventures. Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) published a children’s book titled The Bench and launched a podcast named Archetypes. The couple also produced the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022.
Political Views and Advocacy
Meghan has been politically vocal, supporting Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and expressing disappointment over Brexit. In 2020, she encouraged voter registration for the U.S. presidential election, which some interpreted as an endorsement of Joe Biden. Meghan has advocated for paid parental leave and publicly supported federal voting protections. In 2022, she voiced support for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson and safer gun laws in the U.S.
Public Life and Royal Duties
Engagements and Early Appearances
Meghan Markle’s first official public appearance with Prince Harry occurred on December 1, 2017, during a World AIDS Day walkabout in Nottingham, shortly after their engagement . Her inaugural royal event with Queen Elizabeth II was at the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12 . Markle also made an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland with Harry on March 23 . Before their wedding, she participated in 26 public engagements .
Post-Wedding Engagements
Markle’s initial engagement as a married royal was on May 22, 2018, at a garden party celebrating the charity work of then-Prince Charles . Her first official international trip as a royal was to Dublin, Ireland, in July 2018 . The couple also traveled to Sydney for the 2018 Invictus Games, followed by a tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand . In February 2019, during their visit to Morocco, their activities focused on women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and social entrepreneurship .
Establishing a Separate Office
In 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex created a distinct Instagram account, which rapidly gained a million followers, breaking records . In July 2019, Meghan Markle faced criticism for her security team’s actions at Wimbledon . The couple was also criticized in August 2019 for their frequent use of private jets, raising environmental concerns .
African Tour and Stepping Back
In September and October 2019, Meghan and Harry’s tour of Southern Africa included visits to Malawi, Angola, South Africa, and Botswana, marking their first official tour as a family with their son, Archie . Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) completed 179 engagements in 2018 and 2019 . In January 2020, they announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior royals and balance their time between the UK and North America . Their final engagement as a couple was the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020 . They made a return to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and later attended her funeral in September 2022 .
Recent Public Engagements
In May 2024, Meghan Markle and Harry visited Nigeria to honor the work of the Invictus Games and focused on sports rehabilitation, mental health, and women’s empowerment . Meghan’s co-hosting of a women’s empowerment summit and the couple’s choice of airline for travel drew media attention .
Further Career and Investments
Early Ventures and Public Speaking
In 2019, before their royal departure, Meghan and Harry considered a non-profit role with Quibi but ultimately declined . They hired the PR firm Sunshine Sachs until 2022 and engaged with Adam Lilling’s Plus Capital . In June 2020, they signed with the Harry Walker Agency for paid public speaking and later secured a significant deal with Netflix .
Investments and Media Projects
In December 2020, Meghan invested in Clevr Blends and, alongside Harry, signed a deal with Spotify for Archewell Audio . Meghan’s podcast “Archetypes” premiered in August 2022 but was canceled after one season .
Literary and Creative Works
Meghan’s children’s book, “The Bench,” published in June 2021, received mixed reviews but topped The New York Times Best Seller list in its category . An animated series, “Pearl,” was announced but later canceled . The couple also signed a four-book deal with Random House .
Sustainable Investment and Business Ventures
In October 2021, Meghan and Harry partnered with Ethic, a sustainable investment firm . They have also incorporated several companies and a trust to manage their ventures and intellectual properties . Their docuseries “Harry & Meghan” premiered on Netflix in December 2022 . In 2024, Meghan launched the lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard , and Archewell Productions announced new shows for Netflix .
Charity Work and Advocacy
Early Advocacy and Volunteer Work
Markle began her advocacy work with One Young World in 2014 and toured with the United Service Organizations . She volunteered at the St. Felix Centre in Toronto and became a global ambassador for World Vision Canada, focusing on clean water campaigns and women’s issues . She worked with the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, though her speeches have faced scrutiny for similarities to historical addresses .
Charity Projects and Philanthropic Initiatives
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In 2018, Meghan supported the Hubb Community Kitchen and helped publish a cookbook to fund the group . Proceeds from the cookbook have supported various charities . Her first post-royal project was narrating Disneynature’s “Elephant” documentary . Meghan and Harry have also been involved in campaigns against online hate and supported the Black Lives Matter movement .
Recent Philanthropic Efforts
In 2021, the couple supported Global Citizen’s Vax Live concert and vaccine equity initiatives . They received the Change Champions Award from Population Matters for their family planning decision . Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) launched the 40×40 initiative to mentor women returning to work . They also advocated for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution .
Recognitions and Ongoing Patronages
The couple received the NAACP’s President’s Award in 2022 and continued their advocacy for vaccine equity . They were named Ripple of Hope Award laureates in October 2022 and Meghan received the Ms. Foundation for Women’s Women of Vision Award in April 2023 . Meghan’s past patronages included London’s National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities . She remains a private patron of Smart Works and has contributed to various mental health and fashion initiatives .
Sussex Royal and Archewell Foundations
Sussex Royal Foundation
In 2018, Meghan (Duchess of Sussex) joined the Royal Foundation alongside Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge . They launched the Shout mental health initiative before establishing their separate Sussex Royal Foundation in 2019 . The foundation was renamed MWX Foundation and dissolved in 2020 . The Charity Commission reviewed its conduct during dissolution but found no unlawful actions .
Archewell Foundation
In April 2020, Meghan and Harry launched Archewell, named after the Greek word “arche” . Registered in the US, Archewell focuses on various charitable initiatives and media projects . The foundation’s website went live in October 2020, marking the start of their new chapter in philanthropy and advocacy.
Public Image and Style
Early Career and Blogging
From 2010 to 2012, Meghan Markle anonymously authored the blog The Working Actress, where she shared insights into the challenges and successes of striving to establish a career in Hollywood . In 2014, she launched her lifestyle blog The Tig, focusing on food, fashion, beauty, travel, and profiles of inspirational women . The Tig attracted fans from her show Suits and had a significant following on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter . Despite its popularity, Meghan closed the blog in April 2017 and later deleted her social media accounts in January 2018 . Her social media activity was reportedly lucrative, earning her approximately $80,000 annually through endorsements .
Fashion Ventures and Media Presence
Markle gained recognition for her fashion sense through The Tig, leading to collaborations with Canadian clothing brand Reitmans in 2015 and 2016 . Her style, influenced by Emmanuelle Alt, was well received . She also hosted the Power Lunch with Meghan Markle video series for USA Network in 2016, exploring culinary inspirations from New York kitchens .
In 2015, Markle’s Maltese heritage prompted a documented visit to Malta, featured in Elle UK . She appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair in October 2017 and Elle France in December 2017 . Following her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017, her fashion choices significantly impacted brands like Strathberry and others, reflecting her influential style similar to the “Kate Middleton effect” . This influence extended to a boost in yellow gold jewelry sales in the U.S. in early 2018 .
Accolades and Influence
In 2018, Tatler listed Meghan among Britain’s best-dressed women . Her pregnancy announcement in a Karen Gee dress led to the designer’s website crashing due to high traffic . Meghan was also ranked as one of the best-dressed women by Net-a-Porter in 2018 and nominated for the Choice Style Icon at the Teen Choice Awards . Her appearances continued to drive sales for brands like Reiss . The black Armani dress she wore during the Oprah interview was named Dress of the Year 2021 by the Fashion Museum, Bath .
Privacy and Media Interactions
Legal Battles with Associated Newspapers Limited
In November 2016, Markle’s family background article by MailOnline drew criticism, leading Prince Harry’s Communications Secretary to respond . In October 2019, Meghan sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over publishing a private letter she had sent to her father . The High Court ruled in Meghan’s favor in February 2021, and she won her claims for misuse of private information and copyright infringement .
Other Legal Issues
In February 2018, Meghan received a letter containing white powder and a racist note, triggering a counter-terrorism investigation . She and Harry secured an apology from Splash News in May 2019 for privacy invasion at their Cotswolds residence . In 2020, they settled a lawsuit with Splash UK after unauthorized photos were taken during a private family outing in Canada .
Social Media and Public Perception
In March 2019, it was reported that coordinated bot attacks on Twitter targeted royal correspondents who had written negatively about Meghan . The royal family subsequently introduced new social media guidelines to curb online abuse . In October 2021, Bot Sentinel identified a network of Twitter accounts responsible for a significant portion of negative content about Meghan and Harry . These findings led to an investigation by Twitter, although the platform found no evidence of widespread coordination .
Bullying Allegations and Media Interviews
Bullying Allegations
In 2021, just before Meghan Markle and Harry’s Oprah interview, The Times reported on allegations by Jason Knauf, Meghan’s former communications secretary, accusing her of bullying behavior towards palace staff in 2018 . Buckingham Palace initiated an investigation, which resulted in modified HR policies, but the report’s details were not published to protect privacy .
The Oprah Interview
In a highly publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Meghan discussed her struggles with mental health and lack of institutional support during her time as a working royal . The interview elicited mixed reactions and further polarized public opinion .
These various aspects of Meghan Markle’s public image and media interactions reflect her significant influence in fashion and her ongoing challenges with privacy and media scrutiny.
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | Married… with Children | Student | 1 episode “The Undergraduate” (season 9, episode 26); uncredited |
2001 | General Hospital | Jill | 2 episodes |
2004 | Century City | Natasha | 1 episode “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Lose” (season 1, episode 4) |
2005 | Cuts | Cori | 1 episode “My Boyfriend’s Back” (season 1, episode 5) |
2005 | Love, Inc. | Teresa Santos | 1 episode “One on One” (season 1, episode 9) |
2006 | 1 vs. 100 | Herself | 1 episode “Mob member number 7” (Episode 101) |
2006 | The War at Home | Susan | 1 episode “The Seventeen-Year Itch” (season 1, episode 17) |
2006 | Deceit | Gwen | Television movie |
2006 | CSI: NY | Veronica Perez | 1 episode “Murder Sings the Blues” (season 3, episode 7) |
2006–2007 | Deal or No Deal | Herself | Holder of Case #24; 34 episodes |
2008 | 90210 | Wendy | 2 episodes “We’re Not in Kansas Anymore” (season 1, episode 1) and “The Jet Set” (season 1, episode 2) |
2008 | ‘Til Death | Tara | 1 episode “Joy Ride” (season 3, episode 2) |
2008 | The Apostles | Kelly Calhoun | Television movie |
2008 | Good Behavior | Sadie Valencia | Television movie |
2009 | Knight Rider | Annie Ortiz | 1 episode “Fight Knight” (season 1, episode 14) |
2009 | Without a Trace | Holly Shepard | 1 episode “Chameleon” (season 7, episode 15) |
2009 | Fringe | Junior FBI Agent Amy Jessup | 2 episodes “A New Day in the Old Town” (season 2, episode 1) and “Night of Desirable Objects” (season 2, episode 2) |
2009 | The League | Meghan | 1 episode “The Bounce Test” (season 1, episode 2) |
2010 | CSI: Miami | Officer Leah Montoya | 1 episode “Backfire” (season 8, episode 20) |
2010 | The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down | Dana | Television movie |
2011–2018 | Suits | Rachel Zane | Series regular (seasons 1–7), 108 episodes (final scene filmed in 2017) |
2012 | Castle | Charlotte Boyd / Sleeping Beauty | 1 episode “Once Upon a Crime” (season 4, episode 17) |
2014 | When Sparks Fly | Amy Peterson | Hallmark Channel television movie |
2016 | Dater’s Handbook | Cassandra Brand | Hallmark Channel television movie |
2018 | Queen of the World | Herself | HBO documentary |
2019 | Harry & Meghan: An African Journey | Herself | ITV documentary |
2021 | Oprah with Meghan and Harry | Herself | CBS Special interview |
2022 | Harry & Meghan | Herself | Netflix docuseries |
2022 | Live to Lead | Herself | Netflix docuseries |
2023 | Heart of Invictus | Herself | Netflix docuseries |
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | A Lot like Love | Natalie “Hot Girl” | Cameo |
2010 | Remember Me | Megan | – |
2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Tatiana | Uncredited |
2010 | The Candidate | Kat | Short film |
2011 | Horrible Bosses | Jamie | – |
2012 | Dysfunctional Friends | Terry | – |
2013 | Random Encounters | Mindy | UK Title: A Random Encounter |
2015 | Anti-Social | Kirsten | – |
2020 | Elephant | Narrator | Disneynature film; credit: Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex |