We all know the Duchess of Sussex as the stunning, stylish royal she is today, but there’s more to Meghan Markle than poised curtsies and non-stop charity events.
The newest member of the British royal family has always had a seemingly fun and fulfilling life – well before meeting her Prince – much like an empowered and confident woman should.
In fact, not too long ago, Meghan Markle (born Rachel Meghan Markle) was a successful television actress on legal drama Suits. Markle also ran her own lifestyle blog The Tig (named after her favourite bottle of red wine), worked as a calligrapher and had a stint as a Deal or No Deal girl on the show’s second season.
There is much more to Markle than meets the eye!
But one thing’s for sure, the Duchess has always been a very kind, smart and charitable person.
How do we know this? Well, that’s the bad part about having a famous face.
Inevitably, all the documented moments from Meghan’s past have come out of the woodwork – from baby pictures to school photos.
To celebrate Meghan’s 37th birthday, we’ve compiled a gallery detailing her transformation from cute tot to elegant Duchess.
Here Meghan is pictured with her dad Thomas Markle. The two have a strained relationship at the moment, but it wasn’t always that way.
Meghan was an absolutely adorable baby. Image via Meghan’s old Instagram account.
Another image of Meghan and her father – look at that gorgeous smile!
Thomas and Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland separated when Meghan was six. Before then, Meghan lived with both her parents.
Isn’t it interesting to see Meghan, who grew up in California, wearing a Canadian jumper! Perhaps it was a sign Meghan would one day move to Toronto.
Image via Meghan’s old Instagram account.
When Meghan was just 11-years-old she wrote to a company protesting the sexism in their TV commercial. Watch the report on Meghan’s protest below.
Meghan Markle standing up to sexism as an 11 year old
Meghan began straightening her hair when she was roughly 16-years-old. Here she is at her school graduation.
Don’t we love school photos!
After graduating from Northwestern University, Meghan made ends meet by taking on small acting roles. Here she is as a ‘briefcase girl’ in a promotional shot for Deal or No Deal.
Meghan’s always loved her beautiful freckles, they are one of her beauty secrets. To this day she requests make-up artists not cover them with foundation.
Here’s a throwback to Meghan in 2007 – when side fringes and mini skirts were all the rage.
Here’s an old picture of Meghan at the DPA pre-Emmy Gift Lounge in September, 2009.
Meghan Markle at the Some Kind-a Gorgeous Style and Beauty Lounge at the Chateau Marmont in 2010. Her hair has been dyed a much lighter shade of brown – making her look very tan, how Californian!
In 2011 Meghan landed her big break. She got the part of paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits. For the role Meghan relocated to Toronto, Canada.
Didn’t Meghan look different in 2012!
Back to brunette! Meghan Markle attended a hockey game at Madison Square Garden in 2013 in New York City.
In 2014 Meghan took a trip to New Zealand. She spent 10 days exploring the South Island and Waiheke Island.
Meghan Markle’s Love Letter to New Zealand
In 2014 Meghan Markle, Serena Williams and Hannah Davis participated in the DirecTV Beach Bowl at Pier 40 in New York. Serena would go on to be invited to Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry.
Meghan once attended Elton John’s AIDS Foundation’s 13th Annual An Enduring Vision Benefit. Fast forward a few years and Harry has been supporting Elton’s charity against AIDS, too.
A year before meeting her future-husband, Meghan appeared during the 2015 NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Upfront at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. And she looked stunning!
Showing her flair for fashion! Meghan looked beautiful as she attended the 12th annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in 2015.
Meghan on one of her humanitarian missions with World Vision in Rwanda. Meghan was a Global Ambassador for World Vision before becoming a royal.
Here’s Meghan goofing around at the premiere of Suits season five with her co-star Rick Hoffman.
Here’s Meghan around the time she met Prince Harry, May 20th, 2016.
Here’s the Suits cast altogether. Meghan left the show after season seven to focus on her new royal life.
Meghan said goodbye to her social media account and lifestyle website The Tig around April 2017 – a sign of how serious her relationship with Harry had become. Check out her best Instagram moments in the video below.
Our favourite posts from Meghan Markle’s Deleted Instagram
Meghan’s mum Doria attended the Invictus Games with Meghan in 2017 – look at Meghan beaming at her man!
Meghan and Harry were full of smiles as they attended the Invictus games together – engagement rumours had begun swirling.
And then it was announced! Prince Harry proposed to Meghan while they were at home roasting chicken. Check out Meghan and Harry’s first appearance as an engaged couple in the video below.
FIRST PHOTOS: Prince Harry with his fiancée Meghan Markle
“When did I know she was ‘The One’? The very first time we met.” Prince Harry and Meghan looked stunning in their engagement pictures, but their first interview as an engaged couple was adorable. Watch it below.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about their proposal in first-ever sit down interview
Here’s Meghan and Harry attending their first official royal function together. You can see Meghan’s sartorial transition happening.
Meghan’s change from style icon to classy royal was gradual – we love this coat!
Meghan made her first appearance with Catherine and William at the Royal Foundation forum.
By this point, Meghan was the master of finding stylish coats that wouldn’t break royal protocol!
We love how much happier Harry seems now that he has Meghan in his life – what a beautiful couple.
Meghan is often photographed gazing lovingly at her partner.
Meghan and Harry attend another event together. As usual, Meghan looks absolutely stunning!
On May 19th, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle became man and wife.
What a beautiful love story!
Meghan’s fashion transition was complete by the time she attended her first function as a member of the royal family. Meghan wore blush pink – one of her go-to’s – as she attended Prince Charles’ 70th birthday garden party.
On route to Trooping the Colour. Doesn’t Meghan look so happy?
I wonder if Meghan ever imagined she’d be sitting with the Queen at royal events?
Since marrying into the royal family, Meghan’s hat choices have been incredible!
The look of love!
Here’s Meghan in her favourite blush pink.
Meghan and Duchess Catherine are said to have a wonderful friendship. Kate is apparently always there to listen to Meghan if she needs someone to talk to. Find out more about their friendship in the video below.
Inside Kate and Meghan’s blossoming royal friendship
Happy birthday to the Duchess of Sussex! We can’t wait to see what she’ll do next!
