Meghan Markle became one of the most famous women in the world when she started dating Prince Harry, and their fairytale wedding in 2018 captured the hearts of many.
Before marrying her Prince, Meghan was living in Toronto, Canada and starring in hit US legal drama, Suits.
The California girl, daughter of social worker Doria Ragland and lighting director Thomas Markle, grew up in Los Angeles and attended Immaculate Heart High School before enrolling at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
In Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022, she shared a treasure trove of childhood photographs – from baby snaps to her school days.
As the Duchess celebrates her 43rd birthday, take a look back at her younger years…
Baby photos
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© NetflixMeghan & mum
Meghan Markle was born in 1981 and in this sweet photo the young girl curls up on her mum's chest as she has a small nap.
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© NetflixFather-daughter moments
Although Thomas Markle and Meghan now have a strained relationship, the pair looked so close as Thomas cradled his young girl.
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© NetflixBlowing bubbles
Meghan looks so sweet in this photo where the toddler blows bubbles while in a pretty blue dress.
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© NetflixPlaying with Doria
Meghan and Doria definitely have the best bond and the mum-of-one can be seen playing with her young girl and some soft toys.
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© NetflixSweet mum-daughter bond
In this adorable image, a baby Meghan is seen playing with mum Doria as she reaches out to touch her mum's hair.
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© NetflixPlaytime with dad
Thomas appears to be a hands-on dad in this photo with his young daughter, as the pair are seen playing together with a dollhouse.
Childhood
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© NetflixGrandmother moment
After Doria and Thomas split when Meghan was six, the youngster mostly lived with her mother. Doria was supported through the divorce by her own mother, and in this cute photo, Meghan sits on the knee of her grandmother.
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© NetflixThe birthday girl
Meghan had a fairly normal childhood, and here she is enjoying her birthday with a group of friends. We wonder what's inside the blue box!
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© NetflixStyle star
What sass! Meghan had a command over fashion from an early age. We love this pose in the pink woolly jumper and jeans!
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© NetflixMother-daughter moments
Meghan and Doria's bond only strengthened as the young actress grew older. Living in California, the pair often enjoyed hiking together, like in this mother-daughter photo.
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© NetflixChristmas celebrations
Meghan had a Christmas to remember in this sweet photo, as she enjoyed the celebrations with a large group of friends.
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© NetflixExperimenting with style
Meghan always loves a switch-up with her style, and the youngster rocked a unique hairstyle in this rare childhood photo.
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© NetflixTime for a sleep
Meghan and Doria must have had an exhausting day before this photo was grabbed, as the pair curled up on a sofa with a blanket thrown over them.
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© NetflixPlaytime
It appears that Meghan had a natural affinity with Canada, the country where she'd make her big break, as she's seen playing with Play-doh in a shirt emblazoned with the Canadian flag.
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© NetflixFamily holiday
Meghan would sometimes enjoy holidays with her family, and in this nifty photo, the youngster is seen in a pair of glasses while riding in a buggy.
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© NetflixCurly-haired Meghan
Just look at those curls! A young Meghan is seen here posing for a photo in a sleek Hollywood shirt, but we just can't take our eyes off of her curly locks.
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© NetflixLike mother, like daughter
Meghan and Doria look so alike in this gorgeous photo of the pair together. Meghan has gone for a pom-pom style with her hair, while Doria also enjoys a more casual 'do.
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© NetflixDinner party
While Meghan and Doria enjoyed a low-key time in the photo above, the duo proved they totally know how to glam up, with the pair seen here enjoying a fancy dinner out.
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© NetflixBirth of an activist
Meghan has long been a feminist and her foray into activism started when she was a teenager. After watching a dishwashing liquid commercial that only featured women, that sparked sexist chants from her classmates, the 11-year-old Meghan wrote to the company.
School days
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© NetflixMeghan's gang
Meghan quickly made friends when she entered school, and here she is as a young girl with a group of friends as they play together.
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© NetflixSchool photo
Meghan is seen in this school photo on the far-left in the centre row. Meghan attended the Hollywood Schoolhouse, which is a private school.
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© NetflixWhile in the UK we're used to black graduation gowns, when it came to Meghan's graduation, this was entirely different, with the future royal bedecked in white for her big day.
Teenage years
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© NetflixGrowing up with Thomas
During her childhood and teenage years, Meghan still spent time with her father, and in this photo, the duo are seen together.
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© NetflixA young model
Meghan is a natural in front of the camera and she has the confidence of a model in this photo as she poses outside in a pair of jeans.
University and acting career start
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© NetflixMeghan's college days
Meghan studied at Northwestern University and just like any uni student, here is the teenager posing in a messy kitchen!
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© Amy TierneyStart of a career
Meghan's acting career didn't initially take off, with the star securing bit parts in shows like CSI: Miami, Without a Trace and Knight Rider, but all that was about to change…
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© USA NetworkLanding Suits
Meghan's breakthrough role came in 2011 when the future-Duchess of Sussex started playing ambitious paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits. Meghan was in the show for seven seasons and clocked up 108 episodes on the hit legal show.
