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Home / Lifestyle

Everything you need to know about Meghan Markle

news.com.au
31 Oct, 2016 07:11 PM7 mins to read

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Learn a little more about Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle. Source: UKTV

Prince Harry's rumoured new girlfriend, Meghan Markle, is an incredible woman.

The 35-year-old American, who plays Rachel Zane on Suits, has been linked to the red-headed Royal who is said to be "besotted" with her.

And we can see why.

Not only is Markle a gifted actress, but she's also a writer, editor, oh, and a UN Women Advocate for Women's Leadership and Political Participation.

Here's what you need to know about the woman who has captured Prince Harry's heart:

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SHE'S BI-RACIAL

Markle's mother is African-American and her dad is of Dutch-Irish descent.

"My mum is a yoga instructor, 100% Black with dreadlocks," Markle said to Ebony.

"And when people find out 'that girl' on Suits is her daughter, there is often this disconnect and sometimes disbelief. It took me a long time to find myself."

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Being bi-racial has been both a blessing and a curse for Markle in the competitive world of acting.

"I could get into twice as many rooms, but was turned down twice as often as many of my peers," she said.

"It's that dichotomy that we can go through: 'What are you? Where do you fit in? I want to put you in this box and I want you to stay there.' I never want to complain. I get that so many people have it worse than I do. But it took me deep into my twenties to come to the realisation that I am 'enough' exactly as I am, and I don't have to be more or less of anything for other people."

Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane is Suits. Photo / USA Network
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane is Suits. Photo / USA Network

HER DAD WORKED IN SHOWBIZ

"My dad was a lighting director and director of photography for Married ... with Children," Markle revealed to Esquire.

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"Every day after school for 10 years, I was on the set of Married ... with Children, which is a really funny and perverse place for a little girl in a Catholic school uniform to grow up.

"There were a lot of times my dad would say, 'Meg, why don't you go and help with the craft services room over there? This is just a little off-colour for your 11-year-old eyes.'"

SHE WAS 'DISCOVERED' AT A PARTY

Markle studied International Relations and university and then ended up working at the US embassy in Buenos Aires.

But it was during a party that her career path was altered dramatically.

"I'd been working at the US embassy then in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I went home for a party, and this manager named Drew had seen me," Markle explained to Matches Fashion.

"He approached a friend of mine from college and asked her if I was an actor. I'd done a student film for her when we were in university together, so she gave him the film the next day. He called me and said, 'You're going to make money, and I want to take 10 per cent'.

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"Then you fast forward all these years of not working and trying to figure it out, and I'm just so grateful that all the stars came into alignment for Suits, because it's changed my life."

Mike Ross and Rachel Zane on Suits. Photo / USA Network
Mike Ross and Rachel Zane on Suits. Photo / USA Network

SHE USED TO BE A BRIEFCASE GIRL ON 'DEAL OR NO DEAL'

"I would put that in the category of things I was doing while I was auditioning to try to make ends meet," Markle said to Esquire.

"I went from working in the US Embassy in Argentina to ending up on Deal. It's run the gamut. Definitely working on Deal or No Deal was a learning experience, and it helped me to understand what I would rather be doing. So if that's a way for me to gloss over that subject, then I will happily shift gears into something else."

ELLEN CONVINCED HER TO ADOPT A DOG

Markle has two rescue dogs, one is called Bogart and the other is called Guy.

And she has a great story about how Ellen convinced her to adopt Bogart.

"I was in LA and I went to this dog rescue [shelter]," she said to Best Health magazine.

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"I saw him and I was sitting there with him and then Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi walk in. Now, I don't now her, but Ellen goes 'Is that your dog?' And I said, 'No,' and she's like, 'You have to take that dog.' And I said, 'Well, I'm deciding.' And she's like, 'Rescue the dog!'

"It's sort of like if Oprah tells you to do something. I'm sitting there holding him and she's like 'Have you thought of a name for him yet?' And I said, 'Well, I think I'd name him Bogart,' and she's like 'You're taking the dog home.' And she walks outside to get into her car but instead of getting in she turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells 'Take the dog!' And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to."

LANDING SUITS

Markle is best known for her role in Suits which started in 2011 and will continue with its seventh season next year.

The actress can't believe how lucky she is to star in the show, mainly because she had a terrible audition.

"When I read the pilot script and I went in to audition for it, I thought I blew my audition," she said to Marie Claire.

"I remember leaving, calling my agent, and saying, 'I don't think I did a good job in that room, and I need to get back in there.' So automatically, Rachel and I are very similar: ambitious, driven, and always trying to take the bull by its horns. My agent just said, "There's nothing I can do. Just focus on your next audition.'

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"This was not realising that behind the scenes, they loved my audition, and were putting together a test deal for me. And again, maybe that's where I'm similar to Rachel, in that I'm harder on myself than anyone else might be."

via GIPHY

SHE RUNS A SUCCESSFUL BLOG

Years ago Markle founded a site called The Tig which she describes as, "a hub for the discerning palate - those with a hunger for food, travel, fashion & beauty".

"I wanted to create a space to share all of these loves, to invite friends to share theirs as well, and to be the breeding ground for ideas & excitement ... for an inspired lifestyle."

The actress told Ebony that the site is ad-free and she doesn't believe in promoting products that are out of the reach of every day people.

"On the show [Suits] people see me in $5000 Tom Ford skirts, but that's not what I have in my closet at home," she said.

"I never want to lose touch with reality. I won't push $100 candles just because. I realised that I could create a hub of positivity and affirmation."

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SHE'S DIVORCED

Markle married production company owner Trevor Engelson in 2011 in Jamaica.

But the marriage only lasted two years before the couple called it quits.

SHE HAS A HIDDEN TALENT

"I used to be a calligrapher for weddings and events - that was my side job while I was auditioning," Markle revealed to Good Housekeeping.

The actress has even worked on projects for some big celebrities.

"I did calligraphy for the invitations for, like, Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding," she said to Esquire.

"I used to do it for Dolce & Gabbana's celebrity correspondence over the holidays. I would sit there with a little white tube sock on my hand so no hand oils got on the card, trying to pay my bills while auditioning.

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