Meghan Markle has come a long way since her childhood in California. Following her May 2018 marriage to Prince Harry, the daughter of retired lighting director Thomas Markle and former makeup artist Doria Ragland, who got her start in showbiz with a one-episode appearance on the soap opera General Hospital, is now a member of the British royal family with the title of Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan’s on-screen career began with Suits. Her future on the USA drama, however, became dubious after she started dating Harry. In September 2017, a source exclusively told Us Weekly, “Everyone already thinks she’s not coming back.” Meghan utilized her celebrity to speak out about gender equality at the One Young World nonprofit organization’s annual summit in Dublin in October 2014.

In November 2017, Harry and Meghan confirmed their engagement. Later that day, they went out for a picture call at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden, which is dedicated to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

In their first joint interview, the recently engaged couple discussed their relationship with the BBC. In February, Meghan and Duchess Kate made their first public appearance together at the Royal Foundation Forum in London. As they took the platform alongside Harry and Prince William to discuss the humanitarian organization, the two were all smiles.

Meghan wore a black Givenchy gown to the Fashion Awards in London in December 2018, revealing her baby bump. In April, the couple moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, England, in preparation for the birth of their child.