6 things you need to know about Meghan Markle now that she's about to become a royal
In case you've been hiding under a rock, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged (!!!!!!).
Obviously, we have a TONNE of burning questions. Like, what issues are close to Meghan's heart? Will she be a princess? What's the story behind the proposal?
SEE ALSO:Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially engagedSo, gather round fellow royal fans, we have the 411 on the Suits actor and her ascent to British royalty.
1. Markle won't be 'Princess Meghan'
So, what will Markle's title be once she and Harry tie the knot? Well, according to the Daily Telegraph, Markle will not be referred to as Princess Meghan after the wedding as "this is a title only given to those born into the Royal Family."
Markle will, however, become a duchess once she weds Harry, and she'll also be referred to as "HRH" (Her Royal Highness). It is believed that Harry will be named the Duke of Sussex on the morning of the wedding—which will take place in spring 2018—so Markle will likely become the Duchess of Sussex. But, if Harry refuses this title, Markle will be referred to as Princess Henry of Wales.
2. She's not the first American divorcée to marry British royalty
If you're an avid viewer of The Crown, you'll know full well that King Edward VIII's abdication to marry to American divorcée Wallis Simpson in 1936 prompted a constitutional crisis in the British Empire. Markle will be the first American divorcée to marry a British royal since this pivotal moment in history. At the time, the crux of the problem lay in the fact that Edward was nominal head of the Church of England, which—at that time—did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive.
Since then, a few changes have occurred which means it's unlikely that a crisis of any kind will occur once Harry and Meghan get hitched. The Church of England changed its rule on the re-marrying of divorced people in church. Indeed, Prince Charles—the groom-to-be's father—remarried divorcée Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.
3. Markle will not continue her role in 'Suits'
At the beginning of November, it was announced that Markle will leave Suitsafter seven seasons, which sparked rumours of a possible engagement. It's unknown whether Markle will give up acting altogether.
4. Markle has spoken out about racism and identities
Meghan Markle identifies as biracial, and has previously spoken out about the racism she and her family have faced. In an article published in Elle in 2015, the Suitsactor wrote that she is asked the same question about her racial identity—"what are you?"—every week of her life, and "often every day." In the piece, she spoke about what being biracial means to her.
"To describe something as being black and white means it is clearly defined," she wrote. "Yet when your ethnicity is black and white, the dichotomy is not that clear. In fact, it creates a grey area." Markle added that "being biracial paints a blurred line" that is "equal parts staggering and illuminating."
In the early stages of her relationship with Prince Harry, Markle was the subject of racist media coverage and trolling. In an unprecedented statement, Harry lambasted the "wave of abuse and harassment" and media coverage his partner had received, stating that a line had been "crossed."
5. Markle has been a gender equality campaigner since age 11
Markle is an ambassador for United Nations Women, and has been a women's rights activist since her childhood. During a stirring speech at UN Women 2015, Markle recounted how gender inequality first became important to her.
"When i was just 11 years old, I unknowingly and somehow accidentally became a female advocate," she said, before describing an event which "reshaped" her notion of "what is possible."
Markle recalled watching a TV advert for dish soap, which stated that "women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans." "Two boys from my class said: 'yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen.'" Markle said she recalls feeling "shocked and angry" and "so hurt." After talking to her dad, she decided to write letters to the First Lady at the time, Hillary Clinton, along with journalist Linda Ellerbee, and women's rights attorney Gloria Allred. She also wrote to the soap manufacturer Procter and Gamble.
All three women responded to Markle with letters of encouragement, and not long after, Procter and Gamble changed the advert's slogan to "people all over America."
6. Markle is a 'Ms' not 'Miss'
Interestingly, Kensington Palace's statement about the royal engagement referred to Markle as 'Ms' rather than 'Miss'. At the time of Kate Middleton's engagement to Prince William, Middleton was referred to as 'Miss.' It's unclear why Kensington Palace made this change, but it might be down to Markle's personal preference.
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Congrats to the happy couple!
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