Meghan Markle: biography, news, photos and videos

From actress to duchess, there is only one step for Meghan Markle. The former star of Suits achieves worldwide fame when her relationship with Prince Harry is revealed by the press. A look back at a fairy tale with many twists and turns.

Meghan Markle, young activist

Rachel Meghan Markle was born on August 4, 1981 in Los Angeles, United States. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is a social worker while her father is a director of photography for series such as Married, two children Or Central HospitalHer parents divorced when she was four years old. As a child, Meghan often visited the film sets where her father worked.. A lucky thing for the young girl, however she does not intend to pursue a career in entertainment.

She first appeared on television at the age of 11, when she wrote to the Procter & Gamble company to complaining about sexism in one of their ads. Little Meghan continued to work for social causes when she became a volunteer at a soup kitchen in the underprivileged Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles. After high school, the young woman studied both international relations and theater at Northwestern University in Chicago. She then flew to Argentina, to the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires, as part of a study internship. She graduated from the university in 2003. Meghan Markle initially considered a career in politics, but after failing the entrance exam to work in the Senate, she finally decided to pursue a career as an actress.

Meghan Markle: an actress, but not only

In 2002, at the age of 21, Meghan Markle landed her first role in the soap opera Central Hospitalwhich allowed her to become known. She then went on to appear in series such as FBI: Missing, 90210 Or Fringe. In 2011, she landed a supporting role in Suits: Tailor-made lawyerswhich brings him wide notoriety. The actress plays Rachel Zane, a confident and experienced legal assistant.. Meghan Markle has also appeared in films in Remember Me and American Trip, in 2010 or in comedy How to kill your boss? in 2011. She returned to the small screen in two TV films, including How to meet your soulmate in 10 lessons.

Meghan Markle also uses her fame to help others : she is a fervent activist for gender equality and defends her convictions within UN Women. She is also an ambassador for the World Vision association, which fights against world hunger. The actress is active in many humanitarian missions that she shares in particular on her Instagram account. She also opens a blog called The Tigin which she shares lifestyle tips.

Meghan Markle's Relationships Before Prince Harry

On the heart side, Meghan Markle married producer Trevor Engelson in 2011. Two years later, the couple divorced, citing irreconcilable differences. She then had an affair with the Canadian chef Cory Vitiello.

His meeting with Prince Harry

In June 2016, she met Prince Henry of Wales, said Prince Harry, via a meeting arranged by mutual friends. The two lovers initially live their relationship away from the press, but it is finally revealed some time later. Meghan Markle then acquired unprecedented notoriety : she becomes in the eyes of the world the girlfriend of Prince Harry, son of Princess Diana. A few days after the announcement of their couple, Harry and Meghan make their first official outing at the Invictus Games.

In November 2017, King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) announced Harry and Meghan's engagement to the British press. This engagement marks Meghan Markle's departure from the series Suits and the end of her acting career in general. The wedding was celebrated on May 19, 2018 at St. George's Chapel in Windsor and broadcast on television to millions of viewers around the world. Once married to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle officially became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, Baroness Kilkeel. Meghan and Harry's son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, born on May 6, 2019.

Royal dissent or “Megxit”

After numerous complaints from the couple regarding the attitude of the English press towards the Duchess, the couple announced that they wanted to step back from the royal family. The couple therefore gained financial independence and settled in North America.Queen Elizabeth II said she understood the couple's desire for independence, but asked them to give up using “their Royal Highness titles, as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.” The couple, however, kept their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but had to give up their royal allowance. These decisions, dubbed “Megxit,” took effect in spring 2020.

However, in February 2021, Buckingham Palace issued a press release announcing the complete withdrawal of the Duchess and Duke of Sussex from royal duties. The following month, Meghan and Harry gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey in which they recounted the events that led to their departure from the royal family. In the summer of 2021, Meghan Markle gave birth to her daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

Meghan and Harry: an independent couple

During their engagement and wedding, Meghan and Harry traveled on behalf of the Crown and as part of numerous charities. They supported causes such as the fight against AIDS, girls' education and environmental protection.

Following their departure from the royal family and their financial independence, the couple, initially quite discreet, made a comeback in the media. The former royals created Archwell, a foundation that aims to promote philanthropic projects. In 2022, Netflix launched a documentary series entitled Harry & Meghan. Produced by the couple, the documentary traces the couple's life: from meeting to marriage, including their relationship with the rest of the royal family.

Conflicting relations with the royal family

In September 2022, Queen Elizabeth died. Although Meghan and Harry were both on British territory, the latter goes alone to his grandmother's funeralMeghan also did not attend Prince Philip's funeral the previous year. The Duchess did, however, join the rest of the family later to greet the mourning crowd.