-Amber Lyons
American actress Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Henry of Wales (familiarly Prince Harry) is truly something out of a Grace Kelly-esque fairytale. The couple made the announcement on Monday, and the world has been raving over this royal union. Prince Harry even told CNN reporters that he knew Markle was “the one” from “the time they first met”. The bride-to-be expressed that she was “so very happy”, and who wouldn’t be after being proposed to by the love of her life (who just so happens to be Prince of Wales). The engagement ring Markle so proudly flaunts features diamonds from the personal collection of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
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However, as much as Meghan Markle is the soon-to-be princess we wish we were, there’s much more to her than just “future Duchess of Wales”. Outside of her royal relationship, Markle is best known for her role as “Rachel Zane” on the hit seven-season television drama “Suits”, and she has also appeared on “General Hospital”, “90210”, “Anti-Social”, “Horrible Bosses”, and “Remember Me”. Being biracial ― Caucasian father and African-American mother ― the actress dealt with exclusion in the industry simply because of her unique background. She expressed to CNN reporters, “I wasn’t black enough for the black roles, and I wasn’t white enough for the white ones, leaving me somewhere in the middle as the ethnic chameleon who couldn’t book a job.” However, she praises her breakthrough casting in “Suits” in stating that the directors “weren’t looking for someone mixed, nor someone white or black for that matter. They were simply looking for Rachel.”
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Beyond the television and silver screen, Meghan raises awareness to World Vision clean water acts. Meghan’s humanitarian efforts began long before her fame. She recalls, “My parents came from little so they made a choice to give a lot… It’s what I grew up seeing, so it’s what I grew up being: a young adult with a social consciousness to do what I could and speak up when I knew something was wrong.”
She has also used her platform to call recognition to female representation and equality. She openly expressed that she is “proud to be a woman and a feminist” at the United Nations 2015 International Women’s Day, where she was later named “UN Women’s Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership”. She told CNN reporters, “Women need a seat at the table,” or “they need to create their own table.”
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Meghan also works as a lifestyle influencer through her website where she shares tips and tricks to her fans and followers. She’s sure to keep the site down-to-earth and share “subjects of higher value than selfies.” We’re so thrilled to see what’s to come of this girl boss and the impact she will surely make as she takes on this monumental role.
