Meghan Markle: Actress to Duchess

Meghan Markle is a well-known actress and former member of the British Royal Family. She first gained fame for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama, Suits, and later became the Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry in 2018.

Born in Los Angeles, California in 1981, Meghan Markle grew up in a mixed-race family and was raised by her mother, Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor, after her parents divorced when she was six years old. Meghan’s childhood was filled with a love of acting and advocacy for social justice causes, which she credits to her upbringing and her parents’ influence.

After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in theatre and international studies, Meghan began her career as an actress, appearing in several small roles on TV shows and movies. She landed her breakthrough role as Rachel Zane on Suits in 2011, which propelled her to stardom.

Throughout her acting career, Meghan remained an advocate for social justice and women’s rights. She became a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, traveling to Rwanda and India to support their clean water campaign. She also became a UN Women’s Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership, delivering a speech at the United Nations on International Women’s Day in 2015.

In 2016, Meghan met Prince Harry, who was at the time a senior member of the British Royal Family, through a mutual friend. They began dating and their relationship was kept private for several months, until news of their romance was leaked to the press. Meghan became the subject of intense media scrutiny, which often included racist and sexist comments about her mixed-race background and previous marriage.

Despite the negative attention, Meghan and Harry’s relationship continued to flourish, and they announced their engagement in November 2017. They married in a lavish ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May 2018, watched by millions around the world.

Following their wedding, Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex and continued to use her platform to advocate for social justice and women’s rights. She became the patron of several charitable organizations, including Smart Works, which provides support for unemployed women seeking employment, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, which supports higher education across the Commonwealth.

However, Meghan faced increasing scrutiny and criticism from the media and some members of the public, which often included racist and sexist comments. In January 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they were stepping back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family, in part due to the intense media scrutiny and intrusion into their private lives.

Since stepping back from their royal duties, Meghan and Harry have continued their advocacy work, launching the Archewell Foundation, which aims to promote compassion and drive systemic cultural change. They have also signed multi-year deals with Netflix and Spotify to produce and create content.

In conclusion, Meghan Markle’s life story is one of perseverance and advocacy. From her upbringing as a mixed-race child in Los Angeles to her rise as a successful actress and member of the British Royal Family, Meghan has used her platform to advocate for social justice and women’s rights. Despite facing intense media scrutiny and criticism, Meghan and Harry have continued their advocacy work and have established themselves as important voices for positive change.