Everyone wants to know everything about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s recent move away from public life and how, what was meant to be a way of controlling the constant media scrutiny, has actually led to an intensified interest in them. What is it about the bubbly Meghan which attracts the interest of millions?
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We find the answer by taking a look at some pictures from her childhood and teenage years. Some of them were, in fact, released by the Royal family, but we also have others that they have tried tirelessly to bury… lucky for us, they didn’t succeed.
She’s Been Cute Since Forever
Meghan has been adorable since she was a kid, and if you don’t believe us, here’s the proof. Just look at this school picture of her from elementary. It’s no wonder that she went into acting at a young age – she’s always had the face for it, that’s for sure! Plus, look at that amazing naturally curly hair!
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The Duchess had a fairly normal childhood, and even though she lived in Los Angeles and attended the Little Red Schoolhouse, she still grew up under considerably “regular” circumstances, compared to what her own son will face during his childhood. After all, he was already one of the world’s most famous faces before he even turned 1. According to reports by those close to the family, however, Meghan and Harry plan to try and give Archie the most grounded childhood possible.
She was a Queen Before a Duchess
Most people probably find it really hard to imagine transitioning from regular life in jeans and t-shirts to being an actual member of a royal family. Lucky for Meghan, she got her first taste of royalty back in high school. This picture was taken on the night of her homecoming dance – where she was voted queen. Well, we’re not surprised, are you?
Getty Images Photo by Marc Stamas
If you know about Meghan’s teenage years, you probably know that she actually attended a girl’s high school. So, what gives with the tall, dark and handsome date on her arm? Fortunately, the administrators at her school still allowed the boys to come over for dances and other special occasions. Is it just us, or does Meghan still look pretty much exactly the same as she did when this was taken?
Hanging Out on the Couch with Family
Things between Meghan and her father may be a bit strained these days, but they weren’t always like that. She and her dad used to be very close when she was younger. This is just one of many pictures that show the actress hanging out with dear dad on the couch in their family home. And just look at that adorable baby face! As it turns out, her dad has had quite some exciting turns throughout his life.
Daily Mail
Even though according to Meghan’s half-brother, Tom, she has “won the life lottery” by marrying the Prince, she is apparently not the only one in the Markle clan who has ever won a jackpot. When she was a kid, her dad won nearly $1 million in the lottery. Unfortunately for him, he chose to make some investments with that money that ended up failing him. Although he did actually use some of it to pay the bill for Meghan’s private school.
Her Childhood Was Pretty Amazing
Even if someone knew absolutely nothing about Meghan Markle and they happened to stumble upon all of the pictures from her childhood, they would probably be able to tell that she’s led a blessed life. From a young age, her parents worked to ensure that she had the very best opportunities in life. It’s no wonder that she looks so happy in every image!
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Take her preschool, for example. Tom sent Meghan to L. A’s “Little Red Schoolhouse,” which is Hollywood’s premiere school for children ages 3-6. Some of the (other) most famous and talented women in history got their start here, as well. The curriculum is big on acting, of course, to give students a leg up in the industry that surrounds them.
She’s Always Had a Good Heart
That kind-hearted persona the duchess displays in public is no made-up character, but actually reveals the true nature of her personality. According to reports from friends and family, Meghan has always had a philanthropic streak to her. In fact, she and her parents used to visit nursing homes and hospices to bring meals and joy to the residents when she was just a kid.
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Since before she was even 12 years old, she has been showing her true colours to the world through the work she’s done. From her very first appearance on television to the ones she makes today, she is always showing her support for those that may not have as big of a voice as she does. Wait until you see all of the philanthropic endeavours that Meghan is involved in these days!
And She’s Always Been Gorgeous
Friends and teachers alike absolutely rave about Meghan when asked about her behaviour during her teenage years. She is not only incredibly beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, too. One teacher from her all-girls Catholic high school had one thing to say about her engagement to the Prince – “He is so lucky.”
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It seems that Meghan wasn’t the only one who knew that she was destined for greatness. Anytime one of her friends talks about her childhood, they say that there were always “signs” that she was headed down a special life path. And now that she has achieved her dream of acting and married into the royal family, everyone from her past couldn’t be more proud of her. Well, how could anyone not be proud of someone who’d accomplished all of that?
Daddy’s Little Girl
Meghan and her father, Thomas, were extremely close when she was growing up. Her dad was always trying to make sure that she had the very best opportunities in life. You can tell by this photo just how bonded they really were. Unfortunately, things have become a little heated between the two over the past several years, although they still love each other very much.
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While there are several different stories about what happened between Meghan and her father swirling around the rumour mill, there is no denying that they have hit a rift in their relationship. Thomas Markle even reportedly hung up on the Prince during an angry phone call last year. Hopefully, the two will work everything out soon!
Meghan and her Baby Nephew
Meghan has always been a part of a fairly large family, with all of her extended relatives included, and she’s always been super close to most of them. Check out young Meg as an aunt with her adorable little nephew! Now that she’s married to Harry, she has a new royal nephew too – Prince George!
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George recently turned 6 years old, so the Duchess and her husband reached out to him via social media with a cute (yet informal) birthday message. The couple received backlash by the thousands for not using his official title in the message. Would you call your nephew by his “title?” Or would you simply call him by his name?
Meghan Feeding the Ducks at the Park
You may be wondering what young Meghan is doing standing here with a bag of popcorn. But if you look closely behind her, you’ll see all of the happy ducks swimming on the other side of the fence. They’re happy because she and her parents used to visit and feed them all sorts of treats, like bread and crackers.
Daily Mail
We love how she’s rocking the Disney shirt with jeans and flats. It’s a good reminder to the world that she’s not so different from the rest of us, or at least – she hasn’t always been. It also goes to show just how far her sense of style has evolved!
Sorority Girl
This stunning image is a picture of Meghan from her days at Northwestern University School of Communications, where she attended after graduating high school. The Duchess earned her 4-year bachelor’s degree with a double major in international studies and theatre. She kept herself extra busy in school by joining the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She also spent one semester in Madrid for a study-abroad program.
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The actress devoted a lot of her free time to participating in extracurricular activities, like the additional theatre program (of course!) As an international relations major, she even got the opportunity to work as an intern at the American Embassy in Buenos Aires. That seems like a fitting background for a Duchess!
Meghan in her Catholic School Girl Uniform
Honestly, when you heard that the Duchess attended an all-girls Catholic school, you had to know that the uniforms were a part of that experience. But this is no scene from Cruel Intentions because apparently, Meghan is basically a saint – and always has been. Not a single person that she went to school with would have anything bad to say about her, at least, according to one of her former classmates, that is.
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Meghan went to all of the best schools in Los Angeles, starting when she was just 2 years old. By the time she made it to Immaculate Heart high school, she had already blossomed into a truly amazing person. Recently, she missed her 10-year class reunion, due to the fact that she was in labour with the newest addition to the royal family.
She Dated Regular Guys
There are plenty of pictures floating around out there of her with arm candy at a dance, or on other special occasions. She’s seen here in her pre-Suits days, with a man who is thought to be the Maître D’ of the steakhouse where she and her friends were celebrating after graduating from Northwestern University.
Daily Stuff
During her time in college, the actress was already auditioning for as many small parts as she could to gain experience and get her foot in the door, while simultaneously earning her degree. One of the roles she landed was as a nurse on General Hospital, the soap opera. She kept working as hard as she could and in 2011, it paid off in the form of her major break as Rachel Zane.
Laughing with a Friend
Here’s an awesome, candid snapshot of a teenage Meghan hanging out with her friend during the summertime. Friends were never something that the Duchess ever had any shortage of. That probably has something to do with the fact that everyone thinks the world of her.
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Meghan was incredibly popular at almost every school she went to. At her high school, she was nominated for both Homecoming and Prom Queen, the former of which she won. According to her old schoolmates, finding anyone who has a bad word to say about her is an impossible task.
Little Meghan Picnicking with Mom
Meghan has always had an extremely close relationship with her mom, Doria. In fact, she was one of the few people who knew about her daughter’s engagement before the Prince proposed. According to People Magazine, Harry, being the perfect gentleman that he is, made sure to ask her for Meghan’s hand in marriage before asking the actress herself.
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The official announcement of the royal engagement was made in late November of 2017. Subsequently, Meghan made an announcement of her own, stating that she would be retiring from the acting industry. Well, yeah! We know that it was always her dream and all, but she accomplished it, and we’d say that she has a lot more on her plate these days, wouldn’t you? As you can imagine, it would be pretty difficult to manage both being a member of the British royal family and a Hollywood actress.
Driving Across the Country with her Girl
This photo was taken during a trip across the country that Meghan took with her best friend at the time, Ninaki Priddy. The women were celebrating their college graduation and decided to make several stops throughout the country. The journey began in Chicago and led them all the way out to California. Unfortunately, things between the two women aren’t as friendly these days.
Daily Mail
When Priddy got word of Markle’s estranged half-sister, Samantha, releasing a tell-all book that would paint a not-so-pretty version of the Duchess, she knew she had to speak up. But what she had to say came as a surprise to many. Priddy told the Daily Mail that while Markle has never done anything intentionally malicious to her sister, the person that she knew when this picture was taken “isn’t there anymore.”
Sorority Sister Group Pic
Here, Meghan gets together with her Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters for an adorable group photo. She was a part of the sorority at her alma mater from 2000-2003, and always made a point to be as involved as possible with all of their events and outings. Of course, it was during this time that she also started taking on her first small roles in Hollywood.
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After the newly married royal couple announced their engagement, Laura Wayward, from Northwestern’s Alumni Association, reached out on social media to congratulate the former student. Surprisingly, she included in her note that the royal family already sort of had a connection to that school, pre-Meghan and Harry. As it turns out, Princess Diana visited the campus in the mid-’90s.
Class Picture from Northwestern
All of these photos from her college days prove that Meghan has always been beautiful. But it’s what her ex-schoolmates have to say about her that really makes her shine. The sorority that she was a part of was built on the foundation of inspiring others, so it definitely seems like she made the right choice in houses!
Marie Claire
One of Meghan’s former sorority sisters, Cari Hahn, told Express.co.uk that all of the sisters were incredibly passionate about helping their community and giving back. Hahn also noted that she believes the Duchess still embodies those sentiments to this day. From everything that we’ve seen so far about her, we would definitely have to agree. Hahn’s statements prove that Meghan has been philanthropic throughout her life.
She Partied in College (Duh)
While some may think it’s unbefitting of a Duchess to have photos of her wearing a Playboy bunny tank top floating around, Meghan has nothing to hide. Although according to some of her friends, she wasn’t always a goody two-shoe type. In fact, she actually had quite the wild streak in college. Well, wild by her standards, anyway.
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The communications major had to work her way through school but couldn’t find many good jobs due to her being under 21. The solution? One of Meghan’s former sorority sisters reported during an interview that she used a fake ID. While she did use it to drink with her friends at the bars on occasion, she initially got it so she could get a job working at a club.
Junior High School Yearbook Picture
It may interest you to know that the Duchess of Sussex’s name at birth was actually completely different from the one everyone uses these days. Meghan was born as Rachel Meghan Markle, but she much preferred the latter name, so she dropped her legal first name altogether. In her middle school days, she had a huge smile and curly locks.
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All of her friends and former classmates from her days as a teen have nothing negative to say about the person that she was in those days. She was just a normal girl at this point, who enjoyed wearing jeans and t-shirts and hanging out with her family for movie nights in the living room. And even though she knew she wanted more out of life; she probably couldn’t imagine just where she was heading!
Foreshadowing Picture by the Palace
There’s no denying that Meghan Markle has led a pretty exciting life, and that includes her teenage years. Check her out in this picture at 15 years old, on a trip to the UK with her (former) bestie, Ninaki Priddy. She probably had no idea that Buckingham Palace would become such a huge part of her life. But maybe that’s when she started dreaming of becoming a princess.
When In Manila
And, according to her half-sister, Samantha, the Duchess did start imagining herself filing royal shoes before she ever met Harry. During one interview she even went so far as to call her sister a “social climber” and said that she had her intentions set on becoming a princess. Well, if it’s true, she can just add it to the list of dreams that she’s accomplished at such a young age!
Preparing for This Life Since Childhood
It’s pretty amazing to see all of the tell-tale signs of where Meghan was headed in life looking back at these old photos. Take this one for instance, in which she is playing the role of flower girl at a family member’s wedding. At just 5 years old, she started prepping for royalty by getting accustomed to uncomfortable lace dresses and being the centre of attention when walking down the aisle. Judging by the huge smile on her face, she was having a blast!
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A few decades later, she would be walking down the aisle again. This time, however, it would be to marry a prince in a gorgeous, custom-made designer gown that cost more than most cars. Something tells us that no matter how much fun she had as a flower girl, it was nothing compared to being the most talked-about bride in the world. She and Harry officially tied the knot on May 19th, 2018.
She Was a Fan of The Rugrats
As a 90’s kid, it would be pretty hard to imagine that Meghan Markle didn’t like watching Tommy, Chucky and Angelica’s silly antics on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats. Judging by this picture of her holding her very own Tommy toy, though, it would seem that she was an avid fan of the show. It makes sense that she would be on team Nickelodeon, as well, after making her appearance on Nick News when she was just 12 years old.
Daily Mail
But this picture doesn’t just show her adoration of the animated series, but also for her father and brother. Her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, seen here with the family, reached out to his sister recently to beg her to reconcile things with her father and half-sister, as well as himself. He apparently misses his big sis very much and was heartbroken about not being able to attend the royal wedding.
When Things with Dad Were Great
Meghan clearly had an extremely close relationship with her father when she was growing up. But these days, none of the news about the way things are between the two ever seems very positive. Most brides have their fathers walk them down the aisle on their big day, but Meghan’s father wasn’t even in the building. So, what gives? What happened between them that caused such a huge rift?
The Telegraph
In 2018, the Duchess wrote a very personal and heartfelt letter to her father, asking him to please stop believing everything he sees on the internet. In response, Thomas Markle posted the letter all over social media, only causing a further dispute. After the recent birth of his grandson, reports are that he was not invited to London to meet him, either. Ouch!
She Spent Her Childhood on Set
One of the most exciting parts of growing up for Meghan was probably the fact that she got to meet celebrities more than most children. After all, her father was the lighting director of some hit shows, and he used to bring her along to work with him. Tom once reported that she would come to sit on the set of Married With Children with him every day after school for nearly 10 years. As a result, she got a chance to get this picture taken with Ted McGinley.
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McGinley played Jefferson D’Arcy, neighbour and friend of Al, on the hit show. The star still lives in Los Angeles and appears in films to this day. His most recent project was God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness, in 2018. These days, Meghan gets to rub elbows with superstars on a fairly normal basis.
She’s Always Had the Acting Bug
Ever since Meghan could first voice her opinions, she made it very clear that she wanted to be involved in arts and entertainment. Take this adorable photo, in which she’s not even 4 years old yet, and she’s up on stage performing in a play. The actress (all the way on the far-right side,) is wearing a super cute swan skirt and her curly hair in pigtail braids. This production was part of a performance at the Little Red Schoolhouse.
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But unlike so many children who get into acting in the Los Angeles area and get sick of it as they grow, Meghan stuck to her guns and pursued her passions. She followed her dreams straight to Hollywood – and then she kept going! These days, she’s an A-lister alright, but mainly because she’s royalty, now.
Curly Girly
One thing you’ll notice about all of the pictures of Meghan before her late high school and college days is her bouncy, curly hair. Her curly locks are an attribute of her being bi-racial, and the strands are a prominent feature in most of her early photos. These days, she chooses to wear her hair straightened more often than not.
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Meghan is the first person of mixed heritage to enter into the British royal family. And now that she and Harry have a son, there’s a new bi-racial baby in the palace! This seems like an incredible and inevitable step towards a brighter, more unified future in the monarchy.
Briefcase Beauty Queen
One of the first big opportunities that came along for Meghan in her acting years was her role as a model on the show, Deal or No Deal. Her job was to stand there with the rest of the gorgeous, briefcase-toting beauties and either make someone’s day (or lifetime,) or crush their dreams and send them home empty-handed. Although it may not have been a major part, it was still a speaking role on a nationally broadcast show. She stayed with the program for a few years before moving on.
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Although some celebrities have been quick to call the Duchess out for seemingly bouncing around from random opportunity to random opportunity – she was just trying to figure out who she was and what life path was best for her. She told Esquire magazine that she viewed her role on the show as a learning experience that helped her focus on what she truly wanted to be doing. It would certainly seem that she’s stumbled upon the right path, that’s for sure!
A Princess in a Play
This is another one of those foreshadowing instances that we’re talking about in these rare, old-school photos of Meghan. Here, she wears a crown and holds a rose as she plays a sleeping princess in her school’s production of Sleeping Beauty. And as it turns out, that wouldn’t be the last time she’d find herself in the role of a princess.
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If you search for Meghan’s official royal title, you will find her mainly referred to as the Duchess of Sussex. Technically, however, it turns out that Meghan actually is a princess. Although, she is not to have the official title in her name. So, if this isn’t too confusing, she is a princess, but not “Princess Meghan.”
A Lot Like Love
One of the early acting gigs that Meghan scored was in 2005’s “A Lot Like Love” which starred Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. She even shared the screen with Ashton briefly in a scene onboard an aeroplane which is how the main characters ultimately meet in the film. Although her role was brief, she was definitely a shining star in her moments on the screen.
Daily Mail
After the engagement to her ‘Prince Charming’ became public, Meghan stated that she would be leaving showbiz. Meghan said, “I think what’s been so exciting [transitioning] out of my career and into, as you said, the causes I can focus even more energy on, very early out of the gate, [is that you] have a voice that people listen to, a lot of responsibility.”
Her Father Always Inspired Her
Most of the world is aware at this point that Meghan Markle is biracial. Her father, Thomas Markle, is of European descent, while her mother is African American. In fact, on her mother’s side, the Duchess is descended from enslaved people in the South. Meghan has always been very proud of where she comes from, and that’s probably in large part due to how she was raised.
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Meghan described in one interview how her father surprised her for Christmas one year when she really wanted this particular Barbie family set. Thomas bought 2 sets and rearranged them so that the dolls represented her own family. She said, “there was a black mom doll, a white dad doll, and a child in each colour.” Beautiful! Here’s to hoping she and her father are able to work things out in the near future. Meghan has devoted her life to inspiring others, and now she is in the perfect position to be able to do just that, for millions of young people all over the world!
She Works to Inspire Young Women
The Duchess often uses her celebrity and influence to speak out against racial injustice in the world. She has always been very candid about her struggles as a mixed-race woman and she works so that others may not have to deal with the same type of issues. In one interview, she told of how hard it was for her to find jobs in Hollywood.
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The actress apparently struggled to find roles that fit her, saying “I wasn’t white enough for the white roles, and I wasn’t black enough for the black roles.” To this day, some publications still photoshop her images to make her appear lighter, and with fewer freckles. But you can be sure that if she notices it, she’s definitely going to say something about it.
She Gets “It” From Her Mother
Meghan grew up in a family that always worked to make sure she had the best opportunities and directions in life. Her mother and father put her in the best schools and programs and tried to show her the way they thought was best. This meant ensuring that she followed along in mother Doria’s path of higher education.
Daily Mail
The actress started out her journey in Hollywood’s premiere preschool before moving up and attending her all-girls Catholic school and finally, Northwestern University. She may not have received a master’s degree of her own, like her mother, but she’s created a life for herself that doesn’t really require it. The Duchess currently lives in London with her husband, the prince, and their son, Archie. Coming next: The Duchess offers some tips for looking stylish without spending loads of money.
She Has Some Hidden Talents
While it’s no secret that Meghan Markle is a talented actress and a beautiful wife and mother, there are some things about her that may not be so well-known. She worked a series of odd jobs and gigs while she was in college, prior to making her big break on Suits. Not only did she pick up roles here and there on television, but she also utilised one skill that may not be so common in Hollywood – calligraphy.
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Between 2004 and 2005, the actress could be found at a store in Beverly Hills teaching others how to rock some perfect handwriting skills. She also put her talents to good use in other ways, like handwriting the invitations for Robin Thicke’s wedding. Something tells us that her talent in calligraphy is definitely going to come in handy as a royal. The Duchess certainly has quite an extensive list of skills and experience!
How She Styles Herself Without Spending a Fortune
Calligraphy, acting, philanthropy, is there anything she isn’t good at? Among Meghan’s random list of job history and talents lies a fashion line that she launched back in 2016. Before she became a princess, Meghan lived out in Toronto where Suits was filmed. She linked up with the Canadian retailer, Reitmans, to design a flirty and feminine collection of dresses for their stores.
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The beauty of the fashion line was that Meghan had everything to do with it, from inception to creation. Her collection targeted beauties who are on a budget. She reported in an interview that since she knew what it was like to grow up without a ton of money, she wanted to help other women feel beautiful even if they couldn’t spend thousands of dollars on their wardrobe. The collection included several dresses in different styles, from mini to maxi.
She’s an Advocate for Women and Girls
Meghan has accomplished incredible feats by any standards, and she chooses to use the voice she’s created for herself to speak out against inequality. She shrugs off the haters who look down on her for her background as a model and actress. But the truth is, working in those industries has only made her stronger, and made her want to rally behind women everywhere that much more.
Vanity Fair
In 2017, she travelled to India to campaign for young girls. A video released by World Vision UK shows the Duchess speaking out against the lack of sanitary bathroom facilities for girls in India’s public schools. These days, she supports a multitude of organizations that work to make conditions better for girls and women around the world. Some of her affiliations include Hubb Community Kitchen and Smart Works.
She Stands Firm in the Political Arena
Even though the Duchess is a member of the British royal family now, she still holds very firmly to her own beliefs. She is incredibly passionate about her stance on equality, and apparently, the prince feels the same way! Now that she holds such a public position, she plans to use her new status to continue to be a voice for women everywhere. In 2015, she delivered a powerful speech at the UN Women Conference where she said, “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist.” Hillary Clinton, who Meghan has always looked up to, also spoke at the conference.
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The Duchess has been seen with several prominent Democratic figures, including former president Barrack Obama. She has also met the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. But how does she feel about President Trump? According to her words during an interview on The Nightly Show in 2016, “he’s misogynistic.”
A Princess, But Not “Princess Meghan”
Little girls all over America dream of being a princess someday and Meghan has shown them that anything is possible! But officially speaking, she won’t be claiming the formal title of Princess. Rather, when she and Harry tied the knot, they became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Technically speaking though, she’s still considered a princess. Confusing, we know! Incredibly, Meghan wasn’t the first woman (or actress, even) in America to live the dream.
Vanity Fair
Grace Kelly is a gorgeous actress that graced the screens back in the 1950s. And in the same way that Meghan captured Prince Harry’s heart, Grace stole the heart of Prince Rainer of Monaco. The two were married and the starlet was then known as Princess Grace. But that isn’t the only thing the Royals have in common – they also both quit acting after the nuptials. But hey, if being a princess isn’t the role of a lifetime, we don’t know what is!
She Might Have a Column in Vogue
The Duchess is reportedly working closely with everyone at Vogue to promote her philanthropy in their magazine. She recently worked as a guest editor for a spread in which she chose 16 of the most influential women around the world. The editors initially asked her to be on the cover, but she thought that it would come off rather rash, so she opted to feature the other women instead.
Daily Mail
The spread apparently was so well received, that she has been asked to do a regular column about her charity work and other philanthropic endeavours. As of now, she’s working on a few pieces about some topics that she’s really passionate about. We can’t wait to read them, Duchess! There was plenty of drama happening before the royal wedding, that’s for sure. Tensions were high and scandals arose at what seemed like the worst time. Find out what happened with Meghan’s family, and why they weren’t in attendance on her big day.
She’s a Total Yogi
Meghan has been practising different types of yoga throughout her entire life. She grew up around it, as her mother Doria teaches it for a living. You can see her impressive warrior-like pose, here, but that’s nothing compared to what she’s capable of doing. In one recent interview, she even went so far as to call yoga “her thing.” And judging by all of the incredible pictures of her posing, it definitely is.
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One photo, that has actually been removed from her social media since the wedding, shows her doing a backbend pose with her leg up in the air next to the water on a rocky beach. Daily Mail also published an article that shows her in several advanced poses, including one of her in an advanced wheel pose. She told Canada Women’s Health Magazine in 2015 that yoga is “in her blood,” and revealed that a perfect day of hers must include at least one session – right before enjoying a yummy sashimi lunch. That does sound pretty amazing! Her relationship with her father can sort of be described as “the dragon and the dove.” On the one hand, they were extremely close at one point and they love each other very much. But these days, things between them are anything but lovely.
Family Matters
There is no question that Meghan is a family-oriented person, as she has an incredibly close bond with her mother still today. Unfortunately, her becoming one of the most famous women in the world means that some family drama has been coming to light in the press, too. Since long before she tied the knot to Prince Harry, the media has not been too kind to some members of the Markle clan.
The News International
Meghan’s brother, Thomas Markle Jr., has had his fair share of bad news. In 2017, he was taken into custody for pointing a gun at someone, and in January of this year, he was arrested for a DUI. Tom’s ex-wife Tracy told the Daily Mail that he had issues with alcohol, but that he really doesn’t want his negative press to embarrass the Duchess. But things between the half-siblings are on the rocks these days. Read on to find out more of what’s going on between Meghan and her family these days.
Meghan’s Estranged Family Members
The Duchess has dodged repeated attempts of sabotage by multiple family members, including her father and her half-sister, Samantha Grant. Samantha, who shares a father with Meghan, admits that her relationship with the former Suits star has been non-existent for at least the past 10 years. Grant has been diagnosed with MS and is currently restricted to a wheelchair. Her tell-all book, The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister, has changed its title to A Tale of Two Sisters and is awaiting its release to the world. But it isn’t just her sister who she hasn’t spoken to in a very long time.
The Mirror
Meghan’s relationship with her father’s side of the family has been rocky for some time now. She recently gave birth to her son, Archie, and celebrated with the royal family and her mother, Doria. But her father, brother, and sister were nowhere in sight. It may have something to do with the fact they have continuously tried to publicly humiliate her. Luckily, some of her relatives have reached out to apologise.
More Family Drama
Thomas Markle was accused of staging several pictures before the royal wedding, that made it seem as though he was indeed getting ready to fly out to London. The accusations are one of a series of unfortunate steps Meghan’s father took to embarrass the Duchess in the media. Her new family members at Kensington Palace are not having any of it, either. One source told reporters that everyone is ready for the drama to end.
Vanity Fair
Meanwhile, Samantha Grant’s book is set to hit the stands soon, which probably makes Meghan a bit nervous. After all, she already made a very public announcement about her feelings towards her sister, including that she sees her as a shallow “social climber” that has always wanted to be a princess. Grant got herself an agent for the book who mentioned that it was “very well written.”
Meghan’s Neo-Nazi Niece
Luckily, Harry was able to look past the incident in which Meghan’s young niece, Noel Rasmussen, had some undesirable writing from her past uncovered. The bizarre notes show that the (then) 18-year-old had some pretty dark interests, including Nazism. One piece of writing that was unearthed also showed that at one point, she tried to “sell her soul.” A visual representation of Nazi memorabilia accompanied each note.
Daily Mail
One family member told Radar Magazine that Noel’s room was full of all kinds of Nazi stuff and that she flew off the handle when her sister, Samantha, showed concern. But things got even darker with the young girl when yet another piece of writing was found within her belongings, that described a dark fantasy about blowing up a building. Man, this chick really does have some issues. Hopefully, she was able to get the help she clearly needed.
She Loves her American Roots
While some members of the royal family may consider Meghan to be a little too Americanised, she isn’t about to change herself for anyone. She’s proud of who she is and where she comes from and knows that it’s what makes her so strong (and opinionated!) Apparently, the Duke of Edinburgh approves, too, with a source saying that he likes the Duchess because “she’s bold.”
Town and Country Magazine
And, as a new mum, the Duchess is looking forward to finding baby Archie a few nannies and has reportedly requested that they be American. Of course, that’s not to say that she’s not willing to hire some British nannies as well, she just prefers them to be from her neck of the woods. Word is that it’s because Archie already spends enough time around his British family and she wants him to be well-rounded, just like his mum.
Leaked Nudes Almost Wreak Havoc
From the outside looking in, Meghan seems to have everything very much together. She’s married to the prince and she’s just had a royal baby. Everything in her life seems to be exactly where it should be. But it hasn’t always been that way. Before the royal wedding, rumours began circulating that some nude photos of the Suits star on vacation were floating around the web. As you can imagine, the Queen and the rest of the royal family were probably not too pleased about this, but a nude photo scandal doesn’t have quite the same impact in 2019 as it did in 1940. After all, many prominent figures and celebrities have dealt with this, including the first lady of the United States, Melania Trump, and Prince Harry himself.
OK Magazine
In fact, Meghan isn’t even the only current Duchess to deal with leaked nudes. Kate Middleton, AKA the Duchess of Cambridge, went through her own media scandal back in 2012 when she was photographed sunbathing topless in the south of France. Things actually got so heated that at one point, there were talks of lawsuits in the works. Luckily, things eventually died down and everyone lived happily ever after.
Those Close to Her Think She’s Funny
Meghan may have not had the most positive media leading up to her marriage to Prince Harry, but those that know her best say that she’s genuinely a good person. But it isn’t just her heart that draws people to her. Apparently, she has quite a funny side to her as well – just ask the queen. According to an insider who accompanied the royal family on an overnight train trip, the duchess made Queen Elizabeth laugh so hard that she even “snorted” a little. The insider made sure to note that that very seldom happens when the queen is working.
Elle
It’s no wonder the duchess is funny, or else according to Harry’s friends, he wouldn’t have even considered marrying her. Friends of the prince say that he’s a bit of a free spirit (at least, according to royal standards) and that he wouldn’t want to be with anyone boring. Someone that used to work with the duchess went so far as to say that she is “wicked funny.” She must be if she can make the Queen of England snort-laugh! It’s too bad no one was there to catch that on video.
She Was Married Once Before
Once upon a time, before the duchess was happily married to the handsome red-headed prince, she was wed to a tall, blonde film producer. This is a shot of Meghan in her past life when she was an actress in Hollywood and married to Trevor Engelson, a talent manager, and producer in Tinsel Town.
Daily Record
Meghan and Trevor tied the knot in 2011, after dating for 7 years. But 2 years later, they ended things, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the cause. But an insider reports that Meghan is the one who actually called things off, and even said that it happened “very suddenly.” Some rumours suggest that Engelson is working on producing a comedy about divorce that is centred around the royals.
Check Out That Rock
It’s not uncommon for a new bride to fall in love with the new rock on her finger. You know the drill – posting one too many pictures of themselves showing off the ring on social media, along with basically shoving their hands in their friend’s faces to ensure they’ve had a good look. But no matter how nice any of them thought their rings were, we’re pretty sure they didn’t have anything on the one that Harry gave Meghan when he proposed in 2017. It’s no wonder the duchess couldn’t stop staring at her fingers. After all, there are pieces of Princess Diana’s ring in the one she’s wearing.
Glamour
Prince Harry designed Meghan’s engagement ring himself, and he spared no expense – or detail. But unlike most members of the royal family, Harry’s taste is a bit more modern. The prince picked out a trilogy ring, which ended up costing over $150,000. Although, considering the fact Diana’s stones were added, the piece is priceless. The ring has been referred to as the most famous engagement ring in the world.
An Adorable Engagement Story
If you’re expecting some outrageous engagement tale of how the prince rented out an entire city to propose to the duchess, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But if you’re a fan of sweet stories of two people who quite obviously love each other – settle in, because the way Harry proposed to Meghan is way too cute. The duchess told Town and Country Magazine that he got on one knee when they were enjoying a quiet evening at home roasting a chicken. Of course, he waited until he had the full blessing of both the queen and Meghan’s parents before he popped the question.
BBC
The couple officially announced their engagement in November of 2017, in an official notice that revealed the royal wedding would be taking place in the spring of the following year. During their photo recall at Kensington Palace, one reporter asked Harry when it was that he knew Meghan was “the one.” His response? “The moment I met her.” Could they be any more perfect?
From Cali to Kensington
The prince and the duchess had two very different childhoods. While the former actress grew up in California and spent most of her young years living in Crenshaw, Harry spent his days playing on the lavish, well-manicured lawns of Kensington Palace. And while Meghan’s summers were spent soaking up the rays on the beaches of Los Angeles, now she’s on royal mummy duty and is lucky to find a few seconds to herself each day.
The News International
The Duchess was recently criticised for her behaviour during an appearance at Wimbledon, during which time one official said, “she was a nightmare.” Fans in the area were also not too happy after her bodyguards ordered them not to snap any photos with their cell phones. Apparently, Meghan just wanted to have a nice outing and was sort of over having everyone in her face for pictures. That’s understandable, right?
Oh No, Not the Doggos!
Anyone who has ever gone overseas for a long time or tried to take their 4-legged friend on a trip with them to another country is probably aware of how difficult it is to bring them along. And unfortunately, one of Meghan’s 2 fur babies didn’t make the trip with her to the palace. The former actress had a lab-shepherd mix named Bogart and a beagle named Guy, only the latter of which is with her now in the U.K.
Vanity Fair
Bogart was getting old and the duchess was worried about all of the tests and things necessary for an animal to move overseas, so the dog stayed in Canada with one of her friends. According to an insider, those dogs mean the world to Meghan, so you can imagine her heartbreak in having to say goodbye. We’re pretty sure that Guy the beagle is the most spoiled dog on the face of the Earth these days, though.
She Has Friends in High Places
Meghan Markle’s sister Samantha once said that the duchess can be very calculated when it comes to creating her circle of friends – and that may be true, considering it’s full of A-listers and other influential people. Just check out this shot of her hanging out at a special tennis match with Serena Williams. Williams and Meghan met in 2014 and she was so impressed with the athlete that she raved about her on her blog, The Tig. Apparently, the women hit it off almost immediately and remain friends to this day.
HelloGiggles
That’s a pretty impressive resume if we say so ourselves! The Duchess has also recently been seen hanging out with George Clooney’s gorgeous wife, Amal. It’s no wonder Amal and Meghan hit it off, considering Amal works as a human rights attorney and Meghan is such a philanthropist.
She and Her Mom Are Very Close
Things between Meghan and her father’s side of the family may be on the rocks these days, but her relationship with her mother seems to be completely the opposite. Doria, who used to be a yoga instructor before entering the field of social work, lives in California, still in the same house that the duchess grew up in. She has been spending quite some time in the UK since her daughter moved out that way, however, and there are even rumours that she will move out there permanently to be near her new grandson, Archie. It’s no wonder, considering how close a bond she and her mom have always had.
US Weekly
Baby Archie was born to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the first week of May in 2019. Technically, he was born as an “earl,” although Meghan and Harry decided that they wanted a more ordinary life for him, and therefore withheld the official title. He will no doubt appreciate that when he gets a bit older! Meanwhile, Doria was right there by her daughter’s side after the birth. And apparently, Harry is pretty fond of having her around, too, and was once quoted as saying that he thinks she’s, “amazing.”
She’s Played Maid of Honor
With all eyes on Meghan during her beautiful wedding ceremony with Prince Harry, some people may not remember that at one point, she was someone else’s maid-of-honour. In 2016, she stood by her friend Lindsay’s side in a sleek peach-coloured bridesmaid dress and watched as she tied the knot to another one of their friends. She posted this adorable photo of the occasion to her Instagram account, afterwards. Little did she know then that just a few years later, she would be getting married to her actual Prince Charming.
Insider
Luckily, Lindsay chose elegant dresses for her bridesmaids to wear, which doesn’t happen all too often, considering the stigma surrounding the horror of what you might have to wear you enter into that role. And speaking of bridesmaids, Meghan Markle’s helpers – all of whom were under the age of 10 – looked adorable walking down the aisle. Among the girls were Princess Charlotte and Zalie Warren.
Hanging Out with Her Best Friend
While Markus Anderson may have given them the space to get to know one another, it may have actually been Meghan’s best friend and fellow actress, Priyanka Chopra, that we have to thank for initially introducing her to the prince. The women met at an event for ELLE in 2016 and they immediately hit it off. There are plenty of pictures of the two hanging out on each other’s social media accounts. Regarding their relationship, Priyanka said, “We just became friends, as two girls would.”
Instagram
Priyanka recently got married herself, to pop star Nick Jonas in a lavish ceremony in India. The event took place in December 2018 and was one of the most highly anticipated weddings of the year. But even though Priyanka was in attendance at Meghan’s nuptials, the duchess couldn’t make it out to support her bestie on her big day. Luckily, the Bollywood actress was understanding of Meg’s situation. After all, it’s pretty demanding to be a member of the royal family.
She’s Always Been Adorable!
Here’s a young Meghan posing for a school photo. What a sweetie! You wouldn’t guess from this innocent classroom portrait that one day she’d domineer over her future prince husband. Look at the look of pure innocence in those lovely big brown eyes of hers!
The News International
This claim comes from a supposed “palm reading expert” who told Express in February 2018 that Meghan has a rare line in the palm of her hand which indicates that she is intensely ambitious and will do whatever it takes to get her way. “She will be terrified of failure, very bossy and dominating by using charm, wit and drama to get what she wants” from Prince Harry, the “psychic” claimed.