Meghan Markle has evolved from actress to duchess to global advocate. See photos of her incredible journey through the years.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex — born August 4, 1981 — has led one of the most scrutinized and fascinating lives in modern celebrity culture. Before joining the royal family, she was best known for playing Rachel Zane on the USA Network series Suits, where she appeared in over 100 episodes. A Northwestern University graduate, Meghan took on small roles early in her career—in Horrible Bosses, Remember Me, and even Deal or No Deal—before landing her big break in 2011.
As her profile rose, so did her involvement in philanthropy, a passion that ultimately led to her connection with Prince Harry. The couple began dating in 2016, announced their engagement in November 2017, and wed in May 2018. Together they have two children, Archie Harrison and Princess Lilibet Diana. After stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry relocated to California, where they continue their work through the Archewell Foundation and media ventures.
In recent years, Meghan has expanded into business and media. In 2024, she launched her lifestyle brand (initially called American Riviera Orchard, later rebranded to As Ever), investing in handcrafted goods and food products. She also entered the audio space with her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, launched in April 2025, where she spoke with women entrepreneurs about business and growth. Her Netflix series With Love, Meghan premiered in March 2025, offering a peek into her creative world of cooking, entertaining, gardening, and candid conversations.
Take a look through the gallery below to trace Meghan Markle’s evolving fame, from Hollywood actress to modern royal and beyond.
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Meghan Markle Through The Years
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Here, Meghan Markle poses for a promotional photo for the series ‘Suits,’ on which she starred as Rachel Zane from 2011-2018.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 2 of 20
Meghan Markle at the USA Upfront Presentation
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Meghan Markle attends the USA Upfront Presentation in New York on May 17, 2012. The star posed for photos and showed off her chestnut-hued hairdo while dressed in a beige miniskirt and top.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 3 of 20
Meghan Markle at the Anti Defamation League Awards Dinner
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Meghan Markle looks stunning at the Anti Defamation League Awards Dinner Honoring Ryan Kavanaugh in Los Angeles on October 11, 2011. She posed for photos on the arrival carpet in a long black gown and black heels.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 4 of 20
Meghan Markle at the Spring, Summer 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
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Meghan Markle spotted out and about during the Spring/Summer 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on September 7, 2013. Meghan sported a sexy black skirt for the outing.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 5 of 20
Meghan Markle at the NBC Universal 2014 Winter Press Tour
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Meghan Markle attends the NBC Universal 2014 Winter Press Tour in Los Angeles on January 19, 2014. She smiled on the red carpet wearing a white button up shirt and stylish skirt.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM
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Meghan Markle at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week In 2014
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Meghan Markle stops to smile for a photo during the Autumn/Winter 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on February 8, 2014. The former actress looked so happy dressed in a black jacket, white skirt and silver heels.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 7 of 20
Meghan Markle At Elle’s 6th Annual Women In Television Dinner
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Meghan Markle attends Elle’s 6th Annual Women in Television Dinner in Los Angeles on January 20, 2016. She looked extravagent in a fancy red dress, which she matched with her red lipstick.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 8 of 20
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Announce Their Engagement
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for photographers during a photocall on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London. The outing came not long after the couple announced their engagement on November 27, 2017.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 9 of 20
Meghan Markle At Christmas Day Church Service In 2017
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Meghan Markle attends Christmas Day church service at Sandringham estate in Norfolk on December 25, 2017. Meghan looked lovely in her neautral toned ensemble.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 10 of 20
Meghan Markle At Commonwealth Day Services In 2018
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Meghan Markle attends the Commonwealth Day observance service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 12, 2018. She wore a white jacket over a blue dress and matching white cap for the event.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 11 of 20
Meghan Markle Attends The Invictus Games Reception
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all smiles while attending the Invictus Games Reception in London on April 21, 2018. Meghan wore a stunning green dress, while her hubby looked dapper in a navy blue suit.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 12 of 20
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Wedding Day
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, on May 19, 2018. It was a beautiful, fairytale day for the happy couple.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 13 of 20
Meghan Markle At ‘The Wider Earth’ Gala Performance
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A pregnant Meghan Markle arrives at the Natural History Museum Gala performance of ‘The Wider Earth’ in support of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy on February 12, 2019. Meghan, who was pregnant with son Archie at the time, looked angelic in her white ensemble.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 14 of 20
Meghan Markle At The 50th Anniversary of the Investiture Of Prince Charles
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Meghan Markle attends the 50th Anniversary of the Investiture of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in London on March 5, 2019. Meghan happily showed off her baby bump at the reception.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 15 of 20
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, With Baby Archie
Domic Lipinski/PA/EPA-EFE/Shutte
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose with their newborn son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. The couple looked so happy to become a family of three!
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 16 of 20
Meghan Markle At ‘The Lion King’ Film Premiere
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Meghan Markle attends ‘The Lion King’ film premiere in London on July 14, 2019. She wore a dress by Jason Wu, shoes by Aquazzura, and carried a bag by Gucci.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 17 of 20
Meghan Markle In Africa
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Meghan Markle looks as happy as could be at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa on October 1, 2019. She wore Banana Republic, High-Street Brand for the outing.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 18 of 20
Meghan Markle At The 4th Endeavour Fund Awards
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Meghan Markle looks radiant in an all-blue attire at the Endeavour Fund Awards at the Mansion House in London on March 5, 2020. She was joined by husband Prince Harry for the event, where they celebrated the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 19 of 20
Meghan Markle At The Mountbatten Festival Of Music At The Royal Albert Hall
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Meghan Markle is a lady in red at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March 7, 2020. She wore a stunning Safiyaa gown with a bag by Manolo Blahnik as she locked hands with Prince Harry, who also wore a red ensemble for the outing.
April 1, 2021, 12:45PM 20 of 20
Meghan Markle At The 2020 Commonwealth Day Service
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2020. The event marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s final official engagement as senior royals.
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