Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981) is an American-British former actress and member of the British royal family through her marriage to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. She gained recognition for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama series Suits from 2011 to 2017 before retiring from acting following her engagement to Prince Harry. The couple married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and subsequently stepped back from royal duties in 2020, relocating to California.
Meghan Markle Age and Early Life
Meghan Markle is 44 years old as of 2026. She was born on August 4, 1981, at West Park Hospital in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California. Her birth name is Rachel Meghan Markle.
Meghan is of mixed-race heritage, with her father Thomas Markle being a lighting director in Hollywood and her mother Doria Ragland being a social worker and yoga instructor. She was raised in Los Angeles and grew up between her parents’ households.
Meghan Markle Education and Early Career
Meghan Markle attended Northwestern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2003. During her time at Northwestern, she began taking small roles in television series and films. After graduation, she continued pursuing an acting career in Hollywood.
Before landing her breakout role, Meghan appeared as a briefcase model holding case #24 on the game show Deal or No Deal. She worked in various small television and film roles throughout the 2000s before achieving recognition.
Meghan Markle Acting Career
Meghan Markle’s most notable role was Rachel Zane in the USA Network legal drama Suits, which she played from 2011 to 2017. This role brought her widespread recognition and established her as a television actress. She appeared in multiple seasons of the show until her departure following her engagement to Prince Harry.
Prior to Suits, Meghan appeared in various television series and films in supporting roles throughout her career. She retired from acting in 2017 after her engagement was announced, closing her social media accounts and beginning public engagements on behalf of the British royal family.
Meghan Markle Husband: Prince Harry
Meghan Markle married Prince Harry (Prince Henry Charles Albert David), Duke of Sussex, on May 19, 2018. Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984, making him 41 years old as of 2026. He is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and is fifth in line to the British throne.
The couple announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, after approximately one year of dating. Prince Harry proposed to Meghan in the north garden of Kensington Palace in London. The engagement ring, designed by court jewellers Cleave and Company, featured a large central diamond from Botswana with two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewellery collection.
Their wedding ceremony took place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and became the most-watched royal wedding in the world. Upon marriage, Meghan received the official royal title of Duchess of Sussex. She became the second American and the first person of mixed-race heritage to marry into the British royal family.
Meghan Markle Previous Marriage
Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle was previously married to Trevor Engelson, a film producer. The couple married in 2011 and divorced in 2013. No children resulted from this marriage.
Kids: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on May 6, 2019, in London. He is now officially known as Prince Archie of Sussex and is 6 years old as of 2026. Archie was born while Harry and Meghan were still senior working members of the royal family.
Princess Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
Their second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in June 2021 in Santa Barbara, California. She is commonly called “Lili” and is now officially known as Princess Lilibet. Lilibet was born after the couple had stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States.
Royal Duties and Departure
Following her marriage in 2018, Meghan began undertaking public engagements on behalf of the British royal family. She held the title Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Duchess of Sussex as a working royal family member.
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from their duties as senior working members of the royal family. Following this departure, they ceased using their HRH titles in a professional capacity. The couple subsequently moved to Santa Barbara, California, where they currently reside with their two children.
Author and Public Figure
After stepping back from royal duties, Meghan published a children’s book titled The Bench. The book is among her notable works since leaving royal life.
Meghan has recently begun sharing selective personal content on social media, including debut appearances of her children. She continues to engage in public activities and advocacy work from her base in California.