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| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Image: CNN) |
Meghan Markle never received the global appreciation she truly deserved. Unless you watched Suits on Netflix, or lived in the United States long enough to fully notice the models on Deal or No Deal, you wouldn't really recognise Ms Markle as a renowned superstar.
Meghan's rise to universal fame has been relatively instant. She wasn't the main character in Suits yet she used her then limited fame to inspire other women around the world through World Vision and other massive charities. She was also an on-demand model and consumer ambassador. But all of this was heightened to astronomical levels after she met her English prince, Harry.
Soon to be fifth in line to the throne, Prince Harry went through one helluva rollercoaster when it came to his relationships before meeting his California girl. His image - not just in the love department - was anything but royal. During the noughties in particular, he was subject to crazy tabloid headlines, being a zero one minute when getting involved in wild, boozy Vegas parties, and hero, by joining the Army, the next.
However, it was Harry's relationship status that was consistently high on the agenda of enthusiasts. Big brother William had it all sorted rather early with his squeaky clean marriage with Kate Middleton, while speculation surrounding who would be Mrs Prince Harry escalated. Who'd have thought it being actress Meghan Markle?
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| Prince Harry at Invictus (Image: The Sun) |
Their relationship became public in 2016. It was meant to be private for a lot longer than it was, but with obscure photos of the pair together, kiss-and-tell stories left, right and centre, and social media going in overdrive, an official, yet subtle, press statement from Kensington Palace put 'Meghan Markle' and 'girlfriend' in the same context.
The couple never look back since. September this year confirmed that this courtship was more than a fling, when both went out together during the Invictus Games, to which he created. It was only a matter of time they'd take it to the next level, and after approval from both families, their engagement was announced.
While many now are counting down the days until their wedding day - Saturday 19th May 2018, by the way - I continue to admire how endearing this relationship is. I mean, we're not in 2018 yet and this wedding is the key contender to being the biggest event of the year. No other high profile wedding will compete, that's for sure. I genuinely wish the best for them - especially for Meghan Markle.
It is no question Meghan is my choice for 'Person of the Year'. TIME Magazine chose the group of women who uncovered the darkest side to Hollywood and beyond. We could have chosen survivors of Grenfell Tower who deserve plaudits, as too Ariana Grande who did so much to pick Manchester up after the terrorist attack after her pop concert in the city. However, I want to point out Meghan's personal sacrifices as a result of her decision to marry Prince Harry, because they're hugely significant.
Regardless of how long her relationship with Prince Harry will last, Meghan's life has changed forever. For one, she's made a drastic career change unlikely to be overturned. By being a Duchess, she's waved goodbye to her acting and modelling. She'd have gotten away with his had Harry not been as high profile as he is today. Mike Tindall could, as his wife - and Harry's cousin - Zara Phillips is considerably lower in the royal food chain meaning they could continue their jobs without maximum press interference.
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| Meghan Markle in 'Suits' (Image: Deadline.com) |
For Meghan, it's different. While it's unlikely we'll see King Henry IX (as Harry would be known), the couple will spend more time performing official royal duties than she would travelling home to Los Angeles having a chinwag with fellow cast members. Though, she knows what she's signed up to, otherwise, she wouldn't make such a commitment, right?
Not only her career would change, so would her religion and citizenship. She's hasn't been baptised and isn't a British citizen. And seeing is grandmother - The Queen - leads the Church of England, Meghan must be baptised and 'confirmed' before her nuptials. It is worth mentioning she's a divorcee too. Prince Harry is certainly ripping up royal tradition, isn't he? Good!
I admire Meghan Markle for making this move. She worked incredibly hard to get to where she was in the entertainment business, but now faces her biggest challenge yet. The acting industry is nothing compared to the royal shenanigans that lay ahead. By becoming a Duchess that high up in the royal food chain, she'll soon realise there's more to the role than red carpet appearances.
Meghan comes into the royal scene completely inexperienced. She's not been with Harry two years yet, and hasn't basked in palaces for as long as, say, Kate Middleton or Princess Diana did prior to their respected marriages. Meghan does however, have arguably more life experience - she's 36, a year older than Kate, who was 29 when she married Prince William.
I'm intrigued to find how the next five months and beyond transpires for Meghan. She's a proven tough cookie and held powerful views before adopting her new royal ways. Now she has a duty to contain them and learn a fresh way of living. I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine, so long as she avoids scandal and takes what the British press say with a pinch of salt.
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