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Royal FamilyMeghan Markle: age, Prince Harry, children and biography
Meghan Markle, whose full name is Rachel Meghan Markle, is a former American actress who became Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry. She was born on 4 August 1981 in Los Angeles, California.
Internationally known for playing Rachel Zane in the TV series Suits, Meghan Markle ended her acting career before marrying Prince Harry in 2018. The couple subsequently carried out duties as members of the British Royal Family before stepping back as working members in 2020.
Meghan Markle at a glance: full name: Rachel Meghan Markle; born: 4 August 1981 in California; age: 45 years old; husband: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; married: 19 May 2018; children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex; title: Duchess of Sussex; former profession: actress.
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Who is Meghan Markle?
Meghan Markle was born and raised in California. After completing her studies, she pursued a career in film and television before gaining widespread recognition through the American TV series Suits.
Her life attracted a new level of media attention when she began a relationship with Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. Their engagement was announced in November 2017, and they married the following year.
Since her marriage, she has officially been known as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. She remains a member of the British Royal Family, although she and Prince Harry are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
How old is Meghan Markle?
Meghan Markle was born on 4 August 1981. She is currently 45 years old.
She was born and raised in Southern California before attending university in Chicago.
What did Meghan Markle do before Prince Harry?
Her studies
Meghan Markle studied at Northwestern University, near Chicago, where she completed a double major in theatre and international studies.
She also completed an internship at the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
Meghan Markle in Suits
After several appearances in film and television, Meghan Markle landed the role that brought her widespread recognition: Rachel Zane in the American TV series Suits.
She played the character for seven seasons and appeared in more than 100 episodes. It became the most prominent role of her acting career.
Before joining the Royal Family, Meghan Markle was already internationally known thanks to Suits. She also ran a lifestyle website called The Tig.
Why did Meghan Markle leave Suits?
Meghan Markle left Suits and ended her acting career before marrying Prince Harry. Her engagement to Harry was officially announced in November 2017.
She then focused on her new public duties and engagements as a member of the Royal Family.
How did Meghan Markle meet Prince Harry?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry began their relationship in 2016. Their relationship quickly attracted attention from the British and international media.
Their engagement was officially announced on 27 November 2017. A few months later, the couple married at Windsor Castle.
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry get married?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
On the day of the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II granted Harry the title Duke of Sussex. Meghan consequently became Duchess of Sussex.
St George's Chapel holds an important place in the history of the British Royal Family. Located within Windsor Castle, it hosted Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018 as well as many other royal ceremonies.
Today, visitors can explore Windsor Castle and, when it is open to visitors, St George's Chapel.
What is Meghan Markle's title?
Since marrying Prince Harry, Meghan has held the title Duchess of Sussex. Her other titles are Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness Kilkeel.
Upon her marriage in 2018, she became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan has not lost her HRH style. Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020, however, they no longer use their HRH styles.
Who are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's children?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have two children: Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Prince Archie of Sussex
Their first child, Prince Archie of Sussex, was born on 6 May 2019. He is currently 7 years old.
Archie is currently 6th in the line of succession to the British throne, immediately after his father, Prince Harry.
Princess Lilibet of Sussex
Their daughter, Princess Lilibet of Sussex, was born on 4 June 2021. She is currently 5 years old.
Lilibet is currently 7th in the line of succession, immediately after her brother Archie.
Archie and Lilibet are grandchildren of King Charles III and great-grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II. Their titles Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex are now officially used by the British Royal Family.
Why did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family?
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their intention to step back from their roles as working members of the British Royal Family and become financially independent.
From spring 2020, they stopped carrying out duties as working members of the Royal Family. In February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that they would not return to this role.
This decision does not mean that they ceased to be members of the Royal Family. Harry remains Duke of Sussex and Meghan remains Duchess of Sussex.
The term "Megxit" is sometimes used to describe their decision to step back from royal duties. Although widely used by the media, it is not an official term.
Where do Meghan Markle and Prince Harry live?
After stepping back from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan left the United Kingdom and moved to North America.
They now live in California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
From the United States, the couple pursue their professional, media and philanthropic activities.
What does Meghan Markle do today?
Since stepping back from royal duties, Meghan Markle has developed several activities in the fields of media, production, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Together with Prince Harry, she has notably developed Archewell and a production company. Meghan has also pursued a range of publishing and audiovisual projects.
Her recent projects include the series With Love, Meghan, launched in 2025, as well as the podcast Confessions of a Female Founder.
She also created As ever, a lifestyle brand launched in 2025 focusing in particular on entertaining, cooking and products for the home.
Meghan Markle's professional activities continue to evolve. This part of her biography may therefore be updated as new projects are announced.
Is Meghan Markle still part of the Royal Family?
Yes. Meghan Markle remains Duchess of Sussex and a member of the Royal Family through her marriage to Prince Harry.
However, Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family. They therefore no longer carry out the official duties they previously performed on behalf of the Crown.
This distinction is important: their decision to step back in 2020 primarily concerned their institutional role, rather than their family connection to the British monarchy.
FAQ about Meghan Markle
What is Meghan Markle's real name?
Her full name is Rachel Meghan Markle. She is publicly known by her middle name Meghan and, since marrying Prince Harry, as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
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How old is Meghan Markle?
Meghan Markle was born on 4 August 1981 and is currently 45 years old.
Where was Meghan Markle born?
Meghan Markle was born and raised in Southern California, in the United States.
Was Meghan Markle an actress?
Yes. Before marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle was an actress. She is best known for playing Rachel Zane in the TV series Suits, a role she held for seven seasons.
Why did Meghan Markle leave Suits?
Meghan Markle ended her acting career before marrying Prince Harry. She left the series after its seventh season and subsequently focused on her new public duties.
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry get married?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
What is Meghan Markle's title?
Meghan Markle is Duchess of Sussex. She has held the title since marrying Prince Harry in May 2018.
Is Meghan Markle a princess?
Meghan is a princess by marriage in the dynastic sense because she is married to a British prince, but her customary and official title is Duchess of Sussex. She is therefore not officially styled "Princess Meghan".
How many children does Meghan Markle have?
Meghan Markle has two children with Prince Harry: Prince Archie of Sussex, born in 2019, and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, born in 2021.
Where is Archie in the line of succession?
Prince Archie of Sussex is currently 6th in the line of succession to the British throne, after his father, Prince Harry.
Where is Lilibet in the line of succession?
Princess Lilibet of Sussex is currently 7th in the line of succession, after her brother Archie.
Did Harry and Meghan lose their titles?
No. Harry remains Duke of Sussex and Meghan remains Duchess of Sussex. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, however, they no longer use their HRH styles.
Where do Harry and Meghan live?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Summary
Meghan Markle, born Rachel Meghan Markle on 4 August 1981 in California, is a former American actress best known for playing Rachel Zane in the TV series Suits.
She married Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle and became Duchess of Sussex. The couple have two children: Prince Archie of Sussex, born in 2019, and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, born in 2021.
Harry and Meghan stepped back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020. They now live in California with their children and pursue their own activities in media, production, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
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