In the original dustsheet. Navy cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

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The first in-depth biography of the American actress and humanitarian campaigner who married Prince Harry in May 2018, written by the world’s best-known royal biographer. When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were set up by a mutual friend on a blind date in June 2016, little could they know that just sixteen months later the resulting whirlwind romance would lead to their engagement in November 2017 and marriage in May 2018. Since then, our fascination with the woman who has smashed the royal mould has rocketed. So different to those coy brides of recent history, Meghan is confident, charismatic and poised, her warm and affectionate engagement interview a stark contrast to the stilted and cold exchange between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.

In this first-ever biography of the duchess-to-be, acclaimed royal biographer Andrew Morton goes back to Meghan’s roots, interviewing those closest to her to uncover the story of her childhood: growing up in The Valley in LA, studying at an all-girls Catholic school and her breakout into acting. We also delve into her previous marriage and divorce in 2013, her struggles in Hollywood, as her mixed heritage was time and again used against her, and her work as a humanitarian ambassador – so redolent of Princess Diana’s passions. Finishing with an account of her romance with Prince Harry, Morton reflects on the impact that Meghan has already made on the rigid traditions of the House of Windsor – not even Kate Middleton was invited to Christmas with the Queen before she had married her prince – and what the future might hold.

Review: I decided to read this book as there were so many conflicting stories bandied about. Meghan was well informed before committing herself to this marriage, that life would be diametrically opposed to her former lifestyle, and that she would need to learn the royal way of life and behave accordingly. She was warned in no uncertain terms by friends who knew the press and their relentless pursuit of salacious stories and that she would have to make a conscious decision to keep her head below the parapet and refrain from reading the gossip that would ensue. She has far too much baggage to be immune to media publicity, in fact seeing her now, she appears to relish any publicity she can raise. Harry too, was warned, lovingly by his brother, to think carefully. He didn’t so we have this and probably many more books to follow. The queen must sigh quietly and regretfully behind the scenes. If you read this book, be prepared for a cover up and a glossing over of the real truth.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (born Rachel Meghan Markle; August 4, 1981), is an American member of the British royal family and former actress. She is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the younger son of King Charles III.

Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her acting career began at Northwestern University. She played the part of Rachel Zane for seven seasons (2011–2018) in the American TV legal drama Suits. She also developed a social media presence, which included The Tig (2014–2017), a lifestyle blog. During The Tig period, Meghan became involved in charity work focused primarily on women’s issues and social justice. She was married to American film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 until their divorce in 2014.

Carriage procession through streets of Windsor, May 2018                     

Meghan retired from acting upon her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 and became known as the Duchess of Sussex. They have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In January 2020, the couple stepped down as working royals and later settled in California. In October 2020, they launched Archewell Inc., an American public organization that focuses on non-profit activities and creative media ventures. In the following years, she released a picture book for children, The Bench, and launched a podcast, Archetypes. Meghan and Harry filmed an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was broadcast in March 2021, and a Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, which was released in December 2022.

ANDREW MORTON is one of the world’s best-known biographers and a leading authority on modern celebrity. His groundbreaking 1992 biography revealed the secret world of Princess Diana, prompting Tina Brown to declare in The Diana Chronicles, “The journalist Morton most reminds me of is Bob Woodward.” Diana: Her True Story became a #1 New York Times bestseller, as did Monica’s Story, Morton’s portrait of the young woman behind the blue dress in the Clinton White House. The winner of numerous awards, including Author of the Year by the British Book Awards and Scoop of the Year by the London Press Club, he lives in London and has traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe in his research for this biography.