Meghan Markle Through the Years: From 'Suits' to the Duchess of Sussex

Meghan Markle has come a long way from her California roots. The daughter of retired lighting director Thomas Markle and former makeup artist Doria Ragland got her start in showbiz with a single-episode appearance on soap opera General Hospital. The road to worldwide fame was a long one for Meghan, who studied at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She was previously married to director Trevor Engelson before nabbing a career-defining role as Rachel Zane on the USA Network hit Suits. She may not be a member of the British royal family anymore, but Meghan is still known as the Duchess of Sussex following her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. The couple share two kids, son Prince Archie (born in May 2019) and daughter Princess Lilibet (born in June 2021). Keep scrolling to see photos of Meghan over the years:

Meghan was crowned homecoming queen at the age of 17. She wore a strapless blue gown and sparkling tiara to prom with her date, a young man from the nearby St. Francis High School. 

Meghan kicked off her acting career with a single-episode appearance on the soap opera General Hospital in 2002, one year before she graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In the following years, she had small roles in Century City, The War at Home and CSI: NY, in addition to appearing as a "briefcase girl" on Deal or No Deal. 

The humanitarian tied the knot with actor Trevor Engelson in September 2011 after about seven years of dating. That same year, Meghan began playing paralegal Rachel Zane on Suits.

The actress and Engelson divorced in August 2013 after less than two years of marriage. 

Meghan took her relationship with Harry public. The couple held hands for their first official joint appearance at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September of that year. They were engaged by November.

Meghan officially became Duchess of Sussex on May 19 when she wed Harry at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where they exchanged vows in front of 600 guests. By October, the couple was pregnant with their first child.

Meghan and Harry welcomed their first baby, a son named Archie, in May. Rumors of a feud between Meghan and Princess Kate Middleton also started swirling this year. Meghan officially moved with Harry into Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan and Harry shared their plans to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent” in January. The pair intended to split their time between the U.K. and North America. Queen Elizabeth later revealed that they would lose their HRH titles and not receive public funding for their royal duties, which officially ended in March. Meghan relocated with Harry to Montecito, California. Meghan also revealed in November that she had suffered a miscarriage.

Meghan welcomed her daughter, Lilibet, with husband Harry in June. A pregnant Meghan also sat down with her husband for their first televised interview after leaving the royal family.

Meghan appeared alongside her husband in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, which offered an inside look at their lives after leaving their roles as senior royal family members.

Meghan was named as the Ms. Foundation for Women's Women of Vision Award recipient.

Meghan was photographed alongside her husband for several outings, including the ESPYs and Invictus Games. The couple also took a trip to Colombia.

Meghan showed off her hosting skills with With Love, Meghan, the Netflix series that premiered in March. She also launched the As Ever lifestyle brand and “Confessions of a Female Founder” podcast.