, ,

The Evolution of Meghan Markle

From an actress on Suits to the Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle has become a household name ever since she married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in 2018. But before she became an American member of the British royal family, the Duchess of Sussex had a career of her own. Here is the evolution of Meghan Markle.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Born in Los Angeles

Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'The Daily Mail', 'type': 'Text'}]Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'The Daily Mail', 'type': 'Text'}]

Rachel Meghan Markel was born on August 4, 1981, to Thomas Markle Sr., a white man, and Doria Ragland, a Black woman, in Los Angeles California. She has two half-siblings, Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr. She is estranged from her father and half-sibling but still has a close relationship with her mother.

Northwestern University

Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'Northwestern', 'type': 'Text'}]Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'Northwestern', 'type': 'Text'}]

Markle attended Northwestern University in Illinois and graduated in 2003 with a double major in theater and international studies.

Acting career

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLUv4S1Z-Gs

Originally struggling to earn roles, Markle had small guest appearances on TV shows such as Century City, The War at Home, and CSI: New York. She also appeared in small film roles such as Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me, The Candidate and Horrible Bosses.

Suits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI9rOVtkPbs

Markleโ€™s most successful and longest-running acting gig was on the TV show Suits, on which she starred from 2011 to 2017. She played Rachel Zane, a paralegal who eventually becomes an attorney.

Other TV appearances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-6jtXb6vUI

Along with other modeling jobs, Markle also appeared as a โ€œbriefcase girlโ€ on the game show Deal or No Deal.

First Marriage

Photo: Getty Images Michael Kovac/WireImagePhoto: Getty Images Michael Kovac/WireImage

Markle started dating film producer Trevor Engelson in 2004. In September 2011, the couple got married in Jamaica. Less than two years later, the couple divorced in August 2013.

Other relationships

Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'The Sun', 'type': 'Text'}]Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'The Sun', 'type': 'Text'}]

Markle also dated a celebrity Canadian chef Cory Vitiello shortly after her divorce from Engelson. The two were together for two years and ended the relationship in May 2016.

Relationship with Prince Harry

Photo: Getty Images Karwai Tang/WireImagePhoto: Getty Images Karwai Tang/WireImage

Markle started a relationship with Prince Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, in July 2016. The couple first appeared together in public on September 2017.

Second Marriage

Photo: Getty Images Ben STANSALL - WPA PoolPhoto: Getty Images Ben STANSALL - WPA Pool

On November 27, 2017, Markleโ€™s engagement to Prince Harry was announced by Harryโ€™s father, Charles, then the Prince of Wales. The two got married on May 19, 2018, and many Black celebrities were invited including Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Idris Elba, Gina Torres and many others.

Royal Duties

Photo: Getty Images Max Mumby/IndigoPhoto: Getty Images Max Mumby/Indigo

Once she became engaged to Prince Harry, Meghan was responsible for many royal duties, including multiple public appearances and engagements and a list of official overseas trips she had to make with Prince Harry.

Stepping back from the royal family

Photo: Getty Images Steve BackPhoto: Getty Images Steve Back

After a vacation, Meghan and Harry announced that they would be stepping away from their royal duties as members of the royal family, which was met with a lot of controversy and criticism. They said they would split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. They eventually settled down in California, where Meghan is from.

Non-profit organization

Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'Archwell Inc.', 'type': 'Text'}]Screenshot: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'Archwell Inc.', 'type': 'Text'}]

The couple launched Archwell Inc. in October 2020. The company focuses on non-profit activities and other business ventures.

Oprah with Meghan and Harry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTVoLamPio

During the television special Oprah with Meghan and Harry on March 7, 2021, Meghan discussed some of the personal and public struggles sheโ€™s had since she married into the royal family. She claimed that she faced racism and even contemplated committing suicide.

Archetypes podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=912QJNbaWuo

Meghan recently launched a Spotify podcast called Archetypes. On one of the episodes, in which she was joined by Mariah Carey, she discussed that she finally understood what it was like to be โ€œtreated as a Black womanโ€ after she married Prince Harry.

Death of Queen Elizabeth II

Photo: Getty Images Chris JacksonPhoto: Getty Images Chris Jackson

On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. Trolls on social media could not help themselves and tried to blame the Queenโ€™s death on Meghan for no reason. It was shortly announced after her death that Prince Harry would be traveling to Balmoral without Meghan.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky's Fashion Show During Paris Men's Fashion Week

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion Week

The rapper showed of the latest AWGE collection at a Paris Fashion Week show ...
15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That'll Have A Grave Impact On You

15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That’ll Have A Grave Impact On You

From cutting the Job Corps to sneaking in scary artificial intelligence regulation, many fear Trump is trying to distract Americans with an onslaught of questionable moves ...

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...
Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True ...Thanks Trump ...

Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True …Thanks Trump …

Whether you're religious or not, we know the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah's Ark, but how about the one predicting Jesus' return? ...
50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent doesn't shy away from the beef, so after Zohran Mamdani name-dropped him, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to get some things off his chest ...
Why Nelly, Ashanti's New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

Why Nelly, Ashanti’s New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

While some fans were excited to get an up-close and personal look at the couple, others weren't too pleased at what they saw ...
Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

The son of a local car wash owner helped his father share his final wish with the community he loved ...
Enough Beyoncรฉ! For The Sake of Your of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

Enough Beyoncรฉ! For The Sake of Your of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

The singer was almost seriously injured on Saturday night. Time to let the car go ...
Black Internet Cheered 'Pop The Balloon' Contestant's  Clap back To A Male Panelist's Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black Internet Cheered ‘Pop The Balloon’ Contestant’s Clap back To A Male Panelist’s Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black social media cheered the female panelist on for her bold clapback towards this male contestant's insensitive remarks ...
Why Kountry Wayne's Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

Why Kountry Wayne’s Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

The popular internet soap opera sees a Black woman get dragged in the comments...while her equally trashy Black male equivalent skates off ...
Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

The Black reporter was beautiful, but did President Trump have to make her looks front and center? ...
The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

We rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now ...
Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

EXCLUSIVE: The host of "The Joy Reid Show" gave us some real talk about the Trump agenda ...
Trump's Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Buying a car or a phone? Hereโ€™s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace's Kimberly Adams ...
Why Halle Berry's Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

Why Halle Berry’s Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

The Oscar-winning star has never shied away from baring it all on social media, and her latest post certainly has people talking! ...
When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

The longtime actress simply wanted to portray influential historical figures, but things unfortunately went South. Let's get into it! ...
Diddy's Daughters' Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America's Outcry

Diddy’s Daughters’ Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America’s Outcry

Video of Diddy's daughters circulated the internet, and just as folks continue to share their thoughts on the trial, the girls were also subjected to the public's court of opinions ...