Meghan Markle grew up in LA and initially found it hard to get a start in Hollywood, taking calligraphy gigs in between acting jobs to pay the bills until her big break in Suits. A few years, a mutual friend and a prince later, the actress found herself at the centre of a highly publicised marriage into the British royal family. A few years on from that (after a scandalous departure from said family), Markle finds herself yet again all over the papers following her tell-all interview with Oprah.
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An outspoken feminist and humanitarian, Markle has been nothing but consistent with her advocacy throughout her career, solidifying her reputation as one of the most influential people in the world, according to Time magazine in 2018. She went on to use her platform to advocate for the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement and mental health issues, all while struggling with her own internal turmoil with the demands of royal life and the tenacious and arguably racist British tabloid newspapers.
Since being shot to mega-fame, she has garnered as much support as she has criticism. That said, however you feel about the former royal, there is no denying that she has become a renowned beauty and style icon. So we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to recap some of her looks growing up.
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Pre-Hollywood
Young Meghan
Here’s a rare glimpse of Markle’s natural hair with its tight ringlets. She looks fresh-faced and almost unrecognisable – if not for that signature smile, that is.
1996: Foreshadowing?
This shot from 1996 shows Meghan posing outside Buckingham Palace as a tourist – a place she would later come to know as home.
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Graduating high school
2006: Early days in show business
Here she is, radiant, eyes smouldering, hair expertly curled and positively glowing.
However, the smoky blue liner and too-light under eye concealer shows us that the future royal wasn’t immune to the beauty blunders of the 2000s. That said, she still looks dewy and radiant here.
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2007: The big break
Markle sports straightened, tousled hair and deep, smoky eyes – this is the making of her signature look.
2010: Moving up
Markle embraces summer chic with honey highlights and a couple of face-framing layers. Her make-up is lighter than in previous years.
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2011: Meghan Suits up
Indisputably her most notable role as an actress, Markle’s character Rachel Zane called for her most office-appropriate beauty moments to date.
2012: Meghan’s hair game gets experimental
The actress channels 70s chic with centre-parted waves and earthy bronze shadow.
These big, shiny ringlets are probably thanks to the help of extensions. Plus, Markle goes a tad redder with her locks while staying true to her classic big-lashes-nude-lip combo.
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2013: Effortlessly refined
Markle foreshadowed her signature regal style with this messy chignon at the Golden Globes after-party.
2014: Classically neutral
Markle dresses for her regal future at the Elton John Aids Foundation Enduring Vision Benefit, embracing the high life while keeping the rest of her look low-key and neutral.
Markle serves pure fire with her sleek straight hair, bronzed glow and signature big, fluttery lashes.
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2015: More hair experimentation – this time edgier
Meghan sports a braid for the first and only time – and, of course, it was for a Miu Miu event. It’s one of the heavier looks she’s presented, and her blue eyeshadow and nude lip combo is such a winner.
Her big hair here is achieved with the help of her stylist. She previously shared her hair secrets with Birchbox, saying “There is nothing like a hair flip! When my hair is feeling a little weighted, Suanne, my hair artist on set, has me bend forward and she sprays a little Oribe Dry Texturising Spray or nothing at all, and then has me ‘flip back hard’ to give my hair a little extra bounce.”
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2016: Hello, Prince Charming
Markle amps up the drama with this look, going bold on brows, eyes and lips all at once. It won’t be the last time we see her sport a berry lip.
2017: Announcing the engagement
Her first public appearance as Prince Harry’s girlfriend saw her champion her signature minimalist make-up, complete with some gentle waves.
Sleek buns paired with understated make-up soon became her official uniform.
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2018: Royal duties call for eye-catching headwear
Berets, statement hats – Markle isn’t shy to try them. However, when she does, she does it right: she balances out the look with voluminous locks.
The royal wedding
Significantly less glam than the royal bridal looks that came before her, the messy chignon and understated make-up made Markle’s look the most requested bridal look of that year (and many following).
Pregnancy glow
The Duchess keeps to the royal dress code with her slicked back bun, but glams up her make-up look with heavier smoky eyes.
2019: Top-tier top knots
This look marks one of the biggest switch-ups in her style since her royal days began. The top knot accentuates her best features while maintaining her polished demeanour.
Postnatal glow
The new mother looked positively radiant after the birth of her son, Archie, in May. Despite having just been through labour, it seems her hair and make-up (and her cadence) are as flawless as can be.
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Prim and proper christening
The Duchess opted for dewy skin, a sleek bun under her fascinator and her classic understated make-up for the official portrait following Archie’s christening.
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Markle’s last few events as a senior member of the royal family saw her go more dramatic with her make-up than before.
The last event as a senior royal
Not to say she’s pairing red eyeshadow with green mascara (she’s still representing the royals, duh), but her signature low-key make-up look was sidelined for a heavy copper eye and a berry lip. Both were welcome switch-ups in her otherwise consistent beauty routine.
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2021: That Oprah interview
In the Duchess’ latest appearance, she opted to stay true to her beauty roots as she got candid about her experiences as a member of the royal family and explained her decision to leave for California. Here we see her flaunt her classic deep, smoky eye and nude lip combo. Her lashes are fluttery, her cheeks are rouged with a warm peach and her hair is expertly styled into a low chignon with trendy face-framing pieces set aside.
What was your favourite look?
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This article originally appeared on Buro 247 My.