Meghan Markle Then & Now: Photos Of Star From Hollywood Start To Royal Fairytale Life On 40th Birthday

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May 24, 2022 2:08PM EDT

As Meghan Markle rings in her 40th birthday, see photos of the Duchess of Sussex through the years.

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Meghan Markle Through The Years

Meghan Markle Through The Years — Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, born August 4, 1981, is a member of the Royal Family and a former actress who played Rachel Zane on the USA TV series ‘Suits’ for more than 100 episodes. Meghan, a graduate of Northwestern University, pursued acting and philanthropic work at a young age. She appeared in small roles in films like ‘Horrible Bosses’ and ‘Remember Me,’ and even had a stint on the TV series ‘Deal or No Deal,’ before landing her big break in 2011.

When her star steadily rose in Hollywood, Meghan continued to pursue her philanthropic endeavors and service, which led her to a connection with Prince Harry. The couple started dating in 2016, before getting engaged in November 2017, and wed in May 2018. The couple share a son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and are expecting a baby girl in the summer of 2021.

Here, Meghan Markle poses for a promotional photo for the series ‘Suits,’ on which she starred as Rachel Zane from 2011-2018. To see more photos of Meghan through the years, take a look at the rest of the images in this gallery of photos.

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Meghan Markle at the USA Upfront Presentation

Meghan Markle at the USA Upfront Presentation — 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.

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Meghan Markle at the Anti Defamation League Awards Dinner

Meghan Markle at the Anti Defamation League Awards Dinner — 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.

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Meghan Markle at the Spring, Summer 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Meghan Markle at the Spring, Summer 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week — 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.

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Meghan Markle at the NBC Universal 2014 Winter Press Tour

Meghan Markle at the NBC Universal 2014 Winter Press Tour — 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.

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Meghan Markle at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week In 2014

Meghan Markle at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week In 2014 — 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.

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Meghan Markle At Elle’s 6th Annual Women In Television Dinner

Meghan Markle At Elle’s 6th Annual Women In Television Dinner — 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.

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Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Announce Their Engagement

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Announce Their Engagement — 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.

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Meghan Markle At Christmas Day Church Service In 2017

Meghan Markle At Christmas Day Church Service In 2017 — Meghan Markle attends Christmas Day church service at Sandringham estate in Norfolk on December 25, 2017. Meghan looked lovely in her neautral toned ensemble.

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Meghan Markle At Commonwealth Day Services In 2018

Meghan Markle At Commonwealth Day Services In 2018 — 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.

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Meghan Markle Attends The Invictus Games Reception

Meghan Markle Attends The Invictus Games Reception — 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.

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Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Wedding Day

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Wedding Day — 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.

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Meghan Markle At ‘The Wider Earth’ Gala Performance

Meghan Markle At ‘The Wider Earth’ Gala Performance — 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.

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Meghan Markle At The 50th Anniversary of the Investiture Of Prince Charles

Meghan Markle At The 50th Anniversary of the Investiture Of Prince Charles — 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.

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Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, With Baby Archie

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, With Baby Archie — 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!

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Meghan Markle At ‘The Lion King’ Film Premiere

Meghan Markle At ‘The Lion King’ Film Premiere — 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.

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Meghan Markle In Africa

Meghan Markle In Africa — 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.

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Meghan Markle At The 4th Endeavour Fund Awards

Meghan Markle At The 4th Endeavour Fund Awards — 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.

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Meghan Markle At The Mountbatten Festival Of Music At The Royal Albert Hall

Meghan Markle At The Mountbatten Festival Of Music At The Royal Albert Hall — 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.

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Meghan Markle At The 2020 Commonwealth Day Service

Meghan Markle At The 2020 Commonwealth Day Service — 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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