<p>Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen a charity working for women in Mumbai's slums among a handful of organisations unveiled on Monday that will become recipients of donations in place of gifts for their royal wedding next month.</p>

<p>Myna Mahila Foundation is among seven charities hand-picked by the couple as they announced that anyone who might wish to mark their wedding day on May 19 should consider making a donation to one of the charities, rather than sending a wedding gift.</p>

<p>The foundation, which aims to offer Mumbai women stable employment close to their homes as well as breaking taboos around menstrual hygiene by offering them access to low-cost sanitary napkins, was chosen by Markle after she saw its work "first-hand" during a visit to India last year, Kensington Palace said.</p>

<p>"Myna Mahila Foundation is delighted to be a part of this special occasion for Ms Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. This support will enable us to expand our reach into more urban slums in Mumbai, empowering local women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities," said Suhani Jalota, who founded the charity in 2015.</p>

<p>The foundation works as a "trusted network" in Mumbai's urban slums, empowering its staff through training in women's health, English, Maths, and life skills such as self-defence.</p>

<p>The sanitary products are manufactured and distributed by women from these communities as part of wider professional and personal support to help them "grow as individuals and businesswomen".</p>

<p>Markle had written about the charity in 'Time' magazine after her visit to Mumbai in March, 2017.</p>

<p>"During my time in the slum communities outside of Mumbai, I shadowed women who are part of a microfinance system where they manufacture sanitary napkins and sell them within the community," the American actress wrote.</p>

<p>"The namesake of the organisation, Myna Mahila Foundation, refers to a chatty bird ('Myna') and 'Mahila' meaning woman. The name echoes the undercurrent of this issue: we need to speak about it, to be 'chatty' about it," she said.</p>

<p>Kensington Palace said Harry and Markle do not have any formal relationships with the charities chosen.</p>

<p>"The couple have chosen charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the armed forces. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work," the palace statement said.</p>

<p>The other charities chosen include the Children's HIV Association (CHIVA), which supports children growing up with HIV and their families across the UK and Ireland, Crisis - the UK's national charity for homeless people, Scotty's Little Soldiers - a charity for bereaved Armed Forces children, StreetGames, which uses sport to change lives across Britain, Surfers Against Sewage - a UK-based marine conservation and campaigning charity, and the Wilderness Foundation UK, which promotes the benefits and enjoyment of wild nature.</p>

<p>"Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement and are keen that as many people as possible benefit from this generosity of spirit. The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift," the palace statement said.</p>

<p>Harry, 33, fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, are set to get married in a ceremony at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19.</p>

<p>They had earlier revealed that their wedding flowers will also be given to different charities after the occasion.&nbsp;</p>


Markle had written about the charity in 'Time' magazine after her visit to Mumbai in March, 2017.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen a charity working for women in Mumbai's slums among a handful of organisations unveiled on Monday that will become recipients of donations in place of gifts for their royal wedding next month. Myna Mahila Foundation is among seven charities hand-picked by the couple as they announced that anyone who might wish to mark their wedding day on May 19 should consider making a donation to one of the charities, rather than sending a wedding gift. The foundation, which aims to offer Mumbai women stable employment close to their homes as well as breaking taboos around menstrual hygiene by offering them access to low-cost sanitary napkins, was chosen by Markle after she saw its work "first-hand" during a visit to India last year, Kensington Palace said. "Myna Mahila Foundation is delighted to be a part of this special occasion for Ms Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. This support will enable us to expand our reach into more urban slums in Mumbai, empowering local women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities," said Suhani Jalota, who founded the charity in 2015. The foundation works as a "trusted network" in Mumbai's urban slums, empowering its staff through training in women's health, English, Maths, and life skills such as self-defence. The sanitary products are manufactured and distributed by women from these communities as part of wider professional and personal support to help them "grow as individuals and businesswomen". Markle had written about the charity in 'Time' magazine after her visit to Mumbai in March, 2017. "During my time in the slum communities outside of Mumbai, I shadowed women who are part of a microfinance system where they manufacture sanitary napkins and sell them within the community," the American actress wrote. "The namesake of the organisation, Myna Mahila Foundation, refers to a chatty bird ('Myna') and 'Mahila' meaning woman. The name echoes the undercurrent of this issue: we need to speak about it, to be 'chatty' about it," she said. Kensington Palace said Harry and Markle do not have any formal relationships with the charities chosen. "The couple have chosen charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the armed forces. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work," the palace statement said. The other charities chosen include the Children's HIV Association (CHIVA), which supports children growing up with HIV and their families across the UK and Ireland, Crisis - the UK's national charity for homeless people, Scotty's Little Soldiers - a charity for bereaved Armed Forces children, StreetGames, which uses sport to change lives across Britain, Surfers Against Sewage - a UK-based marine conservation and campaigning charity, and the Wilderness Foundation UK, which promotes the benefits and enjoyment of wild nature. "Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle are incredibly grateful for the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement and are keen that as many people as possible benefit from this generosity of spirit. The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift," the palace statement said. Harry, 33, fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, are set to get married in a ceremony at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19. They had earlier revealed that their wedding flowers will also be given to different charities after the occasion.

No gifts please! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want guests to donate to this Mumbai charity instead

<p>Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle looked amused during their visit to Northern Ireland. The royal couple interacted with the representatives of a company that specialises in prosthetics at a next-gen science park, Catalyst Inc in Belfast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Titanic FX had some gory items on display like a fake severed foot, decaying hands among others at the exhibition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are LOVING Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's response to our Prosthetic Limb display at <a href="https://twitter.com/CatalystIncHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CatalystIncHQ</a> on Friday. Their react was the same as most people who encounter our products. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Priceless?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Priceless</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarryandMeghan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HarryandMeghan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheRoyalCouple?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheRoyalCouple</a> <a href="https://t.co/rg3StCwZ1i">pic.twitter.com/rg3StCwZ1i</a></p>
— Titanic FX (@FxTitanic) <a href="https://twitter.com/FxTitanic/status/977812749056200704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">25 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The company is known for manufacturing prosthetics and props for films and television shows and has also worked for the hugely popular television series, Games of Thrones.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When you see what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were looking at close up, you can see why were freaked them out a little. ?????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarryandMeghan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HarryandMeghan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProstheticLimbs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProstheticLimbs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TitanicFX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TitanicFX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HRHHenryWindsor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HRHHenryWindsor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KensingtonRoyal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PARoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PARoyal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalFamily</a> <a href="https://t.co/FSWG7tzRM7">pic.twitter.com/FSWG7tzRM7</a></p>
— Titanic FX (@FxTitanic) <a href="https://twitter.com/FxTitanic/status/977821186473197568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">25 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Despite knowing the artificiality of the horrific items on display, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wore squirmish expression all over their faces throughout their visit to the exhibition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you for sharing this photo. What a pleasure it was to meet both Prince Harry and Meghan today. I really hope all my prosthetic prop limbs didn't freak them out too much.</p>
— Nuala Campbell (@NualaCampbellMU) <a href="https://twitter.com/NualaCampbellMU/status/977342300480094208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">24 March 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nuala Campbell, founder and Managing Director of Titanic FX, was thrilled with the response for her prosthetic products. She tweeted out saying that, "I really hope my prosthetic prop limbs didn't freak them out too much".&nbsp;</p>


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wore squirmish expression all over their faces throughout their visit to an exhibition

Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle looked amused during their visit to Northern Ireland. The royal couple interacted with the representatives of a company that specialises in prosthetics at a next-gen science park, Catalyst Inc in Belfast. Titanic FX had some gory items on display like a fake severed foot, decaying hands among others at the exhibition. We are LOVING Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's response to our Prosthetic Limb display at @CatalystIncHQ on Friday. Their react was the same as most people who encounter our products. #Priceless #HarryandMeghan #TheRoyalCouple pic.twitter.com/rg3StCwZ1i — Titanic FX (@FxTitanic) 25 March 2018 × The company is known for manufacturing prosthetics and props for films and television shows and has also worked for the hugely popular television series, Games of Thrones. When you see what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were looking at close up, you can see why were freaked them out a little. ?????? #HarryandMeghan #ProstheticLimbs #TitanicFX @HRHHenryWindsor @KensingtonRoyal @PARoyal @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/FSWG7tzRM7 — Titanic FX (@FxTitanic) 25 March 2018 × Despite knowing the artificiality of the horrific items on display, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wore squirmish expression all over their faces throughout their visit to the exhibition. Thank you for sharing this photo. What a pleasure it was to meet both Prince Harry and Meghan today. I really hope all my prosthetic prop limbs didn't freak them out too much. — Nuala Campbell (@NualaCampbellMU) 24 March 2018 × Nuala Campbell, founder and Managing Director of Titanic FX, was thrilled with the response for her prosthetic products. She tweeted out saying that, "I really hope my prosthetic prop limbs didn't freak them out too much".

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle look horrified on visit to Northern Ireland, here's why

<p>The much-awaited royal wedding of Prince Harry and his fiance <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meghan-markle-baptised-ahead-of-royal-wedding-report-35112" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a> is barely a couple months away and we have news that the couple&#39;s wedding card is not only ready but has also been dispatched to 600 lucky guests, with a select 200 close friends invited to an after-party at Frogmore House. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-priyanka-chopra-is-happy-for-friend-meghan-markle-as-she-gets-engaged-to-prince-harry-25366" target="_blank"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;Priyanka Chopra is &#39;happy&#39; for friend Meghan Markle as she gets engaged to Prince Harry</em></a></p>

<p>Confirming the same, the Kensington Palace said that the formal invitations have been sent by the Prince of Wales, for the May 19 service at St George&#39;s Chapel, Windsor&nbsp;(The couple get married on May 19 as revealed by the Palace twitter account earlier). <em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-in-pictures-prince-harry-meghan-markle-release-official-engagement-photoshoot-pics-27389" target="_blank">In pictures: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle release official engagement photoshoot</a></em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by <a href="https://twitter.com/BarnardWestwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarnardWestwood</a>. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. <a href="https://t.co/cd7LBmRJxO">pic.twitter.com/cd7LBmRJxO</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976828794249076737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. <a href="https://t.co/jidwuYboon">pic.twitter.com/jidwuYboon</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976828238076006401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The beautiful card was&nbsp;produced by Barnard and Westwood, which has held the &quot;Royal Warrant for Printing &amp; Bookbinding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen&quot; since 1985 and has a second royal warrant with the Prince of Wales. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/queen-gives-formal-consent-for-grandson-harry-to-marry-meghan-markle-35963" target="_blank"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;Queen gives formal consent for grandson Harry to marry Meghan Markle</em></a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/BarnardWestwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarnardWestwood</a> have been making Royal invitations since 1985, and Managing Director Austen Kopley said he was thrilled and honoured to be making them.</p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976829681960923136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The card uses American ink on&nbsp;English card -- is printed in gold and black, and then burnished to bring out the shine and is&nbsp;gilded around the edge. They were printed by Lottie Small.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lottie Small, who recently completed her apprenticeship, printed all of the invitations in a process known as die stamping, on a machine from the 1930s that she affectionately nicknamed Maude. <a href="https://t.co/kWs2RFx7nN">pic.twitter.com/kWs2RFx7nN</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976829113762709504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Using American ink on English card, the invitations are printed in gold and black, then burnished to bring out the shine, and gilded around the edge. <a href="https://t.co/gQpC6tDot0">pic.twitter.com/gQpC6tDot0</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976829471050420224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The card is die-stamped in gold and includes the &#39;The Three Feather Badge&#39;&nbsp;of The Prince of Wales.</p>

<p>Adding to the invite is the dress code for guests attending the nuptials --&nbsp;Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit, or Day Dress with Hat.</p>

<p>The invitations read: &quot;His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of....... at the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle at St George&#39;s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday 19th May, 2018 at 12 Noon followed by a reception at Windsor Castle.&quot;</p>

<p>Included in the 600 people list are the Royal Family, bride&#39;s parents, and the couple&#39;s friends who will get to attend the church service and lunchtime reception, given by the Queen. Later in the evening, 200 guests will travel to Frogmore House, where the royal bride and groom spent time together as their relationship matured. The invitations were posted this week. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-meghan-markle-love-story-to-be-made-into-a-tv-movie-29693" target="_blank"><em>Also Read:&nbsp;Prince Harry, Meghan Markle love story to be made into a TV movie</em></a></p>


The royal couple will get married on May 19 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

The much-awaited royal wedding of Prince Harry and his fiance Meghan Markle is barely a couple months away and we have news that the couple's wedding card is not only ready but has also been dispatched to 600 lucky guests, with a select 200 close friends invited to an after-party at Frogmore House. Also Read: Priyanka Chopra is 'happy' for friend Meghan Markle as she gets engaged to Prince Harry Confirming the same, the Kensington Palace said that the formal invitations have been sent by the Prince of Wales, for the May 19 service at St George's Chapel, Windsor (The couple get married on May 19 as revealed by the Palace twitter account earlier). In pictures: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle release official engagement photoshoot The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by @BarnardWestwood. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. pic.twitter.com/cd7LBmRJxO — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018 × Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. pic.twitter.com/jidwuYboon — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018 × The beautiful card was produced by Barnard and Westwood, which has held the "Royal Warrant for Printing & Bookbinding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen" since 1985 and has a second royal warrant with the Prince of Wales. Also Read: Queen gives formal consent for grandson Harry to marry Meghan Markle @BarnardWestwood have been making Royal invitations since 1985, and Managing Director Austen Kopley said he was thrilled and honoured to be making them. — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018 × The card uses American ink on English card -- is printed in gold and black, and then burnished to bring out the shine and is gilded around the edge. They were printed by Lottie Small. Lottie Small, who recently completed her apprenticeship, printed all of the invitations in a process known as die stamping, on a machine from the 1930s that she affectionately nicknamed Maude. pic.twitter.com/kWs2RFx7nN — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018 × Using American ink on English card, the invitations are printed in gold and black, then burnished to bring out the shine, and gilded around the edge. pic.twitter.com/gQpC6tDot0 — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018 × The card is die-stamped in gold and includes the 'The Three Feather Badge' of The Prince of Wales. Adding to the invite is the dress code for guests attending the nuptials -- Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit, or Day Dress with Hat. The invitations read: "His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of....... at the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday 19th May, 2018 at 12 Noon followed by a reception at Windsor Castle." Included in the 600 people list are the Royal Family, bride's parents, and the couple's friends who will get to attend the church service and lunchtime reception, given by the Queen. Later in the evening, 200 guests will travel to Frogmore House, where the royal bride and groom spent time together as their relationship matured. The invitations were posted this week. Also Read: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle love story to be made into a TV movie

In photos: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle wedding card ready, 600 guests invited

<p>&nbsp;Britain&#39;s Queen Elizabeth has formally given her permission for her &quot;dearly beloved&quot; grandson Prince Harry to marry his U.S. fiancee&nbsp;Meghan&nbsp;Markle.</p>

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<p>In a letter to the Privy Council, a formal advisory body to the monarch comprised of senior politicians, judges and bishops, the queen confirmed her approval of the wedding of Harry, the fifth-in-line to the throne, and&nbsp;Markle, star of U.S. TV drama &quot;Suits&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel&nbsp;Meghan&nbsp;Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council,&quot; the letter dated on Wednesday said.</p>

<p>Harry and&nbsp;Meghan&#39;s union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th Century.</p>

<p>The move was a mere formality as the queen had already said in a statement how delighted she was for the couple and she will be attending the wedding ceremony at her Windsor Castle home, to the West of London, on May 19.</p>

<p>She also invited&nbsp;Markle&nbsp;to spend Christmas with the royal family at her Sandringham estate in eastern England.</p>


The move was a mere formality as the queen had already said in a statement how delighted she was for the couple and she will be attending the wedding ceremony at her Windsor Castle home, to the West of London, on May 19.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has formally given her permission for her "dearly beloved" grandson Prince Harry to marry his U.S. fiancee Meghan Markle. × In a letter to the Privy Council, a formal advisory body to the monarch comprised of senior politicians, judges and bishops, the queen confirmed her approval of the wedding of Harry, the fifth-in-line to the throne, and Markle, star of U.S. TV drama "Suits". "I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council," the letter dated on Wednesday said. Harry and Meghan's union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th Century. The move was a mere formality as the queen had already said in a statement how delighted she was for the couple and she will be attending the wedding ceremony at her Windsor Castle home, to the West of London, on May 19. She also invited Markle to spend Christmas with the royal family at her Sandringham estate in eastern England.

Queen gives formal consent for grandson Harry to marry Meghan Markle

<p>Prince Harry&#39;s fiance Meghan Markle who is soon to be Royal Highness was seen on her first official event alongside the Queen on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meghan attended a service to mark Commonwealth Day along with fiance Prince Harry, Prince William, Duchess Kate and other senior&nbsp;royals at Westminster Abbey. The service was held ahead of the&nbsp;24th Commonwealth Heads of the Government Meeting which take place in April in London.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at <a href="https://twitter.com/wabbey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wabbey</a> for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommonwealthDay</a> Service.<br />
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The Commonwealth Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. <a href="https://t.co/gBXY4Dp7IL">pic.twitter.com/gBXY4Dp7IL</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/973219278500585473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A curtsie for Meghan Markle as she attends the Commonwealth Observance Service today <a href="https://twitter.com/GettyImages?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GettyImages</a> <a href="https://t.co/aPx6aTiF15">pic.twitter.com/aPx6aTiF15</a></p>
&mdash; Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisJack_Getty/status/973239705797120000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle departed <a href="https://twitter.com/wabbey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wabbey</a>, they received some beautiful posies - thank you! <a href="https://t.co/jQ1zZPUKWZ">pic.twitter.com/jQ1zZPUKWZ</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/973239734393888773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The event saw Meghan sing &#39;God Save The Queen&#39; when Head of the Commonwealth herself --Queen Elizabeth II made an entrance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The event also saw Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall&nbsp;and Prime Minister Theresa May in attendance.&nbsp;The Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public service last year, did not attend the service.</p>

<p>Commonwealth Day is an annual event which celebrates the 53 Commonwealth countries.</p>

<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-meghan-markle-departs-suits-after-engagement-to-prince-harry-25464" target="_blank"> former Suits</a> actress rose to fame after Prince Harry proclaimed his love for the actress publicly. He proposed to Meghan over a dinner he was preparing for them and soon popped the question. The two are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">set to get married </a>on May 19 at Windsor Castle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another news, there are reports of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-meghan-markle-love-story-to-be-made-into-a-tv-movie-29693" target="_blank">TV movie being made on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle&#39;s love story</a> titled &quot;Harry &amp; Meghan: The Royal Love Story&quot;. The&nbsp;film will chronicle the couple&#39;s relationship from when they met through friends in 2016.</p>

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She was accompanied by Prince Harry on her first official event

Prince Harry's fiance Meghan Markle who is soon to be Royal Highness was seen on her first official event alongside the Queen on Monday. Meghan attended a service to mark Commonwealth Day along with fiance Prince Harry, Prince William, Duchess Kate and other senior royals at Westminster Abbey. The service was held ahead of the 24th Commonwealth Heads of the Government Meeting which take place in April in London. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at @wabbey for the #CommonwealthDay Service. The Commonwealth Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/gBXY4Dp7IL — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 12, 2018 × A curtsie for Meghan Markle as she attends the Commonwealth Observance Service today @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/aPx6aTiF15 — Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) March 12, 2018 × As The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle departed @wabbey, they received some beautiful posies - thank you! pic.twitter.com/jQ1zZPUKWZ — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 12, 2018 × The event saw Meghan sing 'God Save The Queen' when Head of the Commonwealth herself --Queen Elizabeth II made an entrance. The event also saw Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prime Minister Theresa May in attendance. The Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public service last year, did not attend the service. Commonwealth Day is an annual event which celebrates the 53 Commonwealth countries. The former Suits actress rose to fame after Prince Harry proclaimed his love for the actress publicly. He proposed to Meghan over a dinner he was preparing for them and soon popped the question. The two are set to get married on May 19 at Windsor Castle. In another news, there are reports of a TV movie being made on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's love story titled "Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story". The film will chronicle the couple's relationship from when they met through friends in 2016.

Meghan Markle celebrates London's Commonwealth Day with the royal family

<p>Prince Harry&#39;s fiance <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-meghan-markles-low-key-hen-party-30421" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a> was baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St. James&rsquo;s Palace On Tuesday evening.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ceremony lasted 45 minutes and was&nbsp;conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per a report published in Daily Mail, Prince Harry was present at the ceremony while Meghan was baptised using the holy water from the River Jordan. The process brings the&nbsp;divorced American actress into the Anglican faith which is an&nbsp;important step ahead of her wedding due in May. The ceremony was closely guarded with only a few royal aides attending to it including&nbsp;&nbsp;Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Queen and Prince William gave the ceremony a miss. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It was quickly followed by her confirmation ceremony, that allows her to join&nbsp;Prince Harry for Holy Communion. The&nbsp;full ceremony was conducted by Justin Welby.</p>

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to get <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">married&nbsp;</a>on May 19 at St. George&rsquo;s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.</p>


Prince Harry was by her side when she was getting baptised

Prince Harry's fiance Meghan Markle was baptised into the Church of England in a secret ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace On Tuesday evening. The ceremony lasted 45 minutes and was conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury. As per a report published in Daily Mail, Prince Harry was present at the ceremony while Meghan was baptised using the holy water from the River Jordan. The process brings the divorced American actress into the Anglican faith which is an important step ahead of her wedding due in May. The ceremony was closely guarded with only a few royal aides attending to it including Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Queen and Prince William gave the ceremony a miss. It was quickly followed by her confirmation ceremony, that allows her to join Prince Harry for Holy Communion. The full ceremony was conducted by Justin Welby. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to get married on May 19 at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle baptised in secret ceremony ahead of royal wedding

<p>US actress Meghan Markle has been baptised by the leader of the Church of England ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry in May, the Daily Mail reported on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby performed the 45-minute ceremony at London&#39;s Chapel Royal on Tuesday in the presence of Prince Charles, her future father-in-law, the paper said.</p>

<p>Prince Harry&#39;s Kensington Palace office declined to comment.</p>

<p>Markle, 36, is understood to have chosen to be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican church out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II&#39;s role as the head of the denomination.</p>

<p>The ceremony involved the &quot;Suits&quot; actress being doused with holy water from the River Jordan from the private royal family font, according to the Mail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple will wed on May 19 at St George&#39;s Chapel in Windsor Castle, a residence of Queen Elizabeth II&#39;s located west of London.</p>

<p>Markle&#39;s father is an Episcopalian &ndash;- an offshoot of the Anglican Church in the US -- while her mother belonged to another Protestant denomination.</p>

<p>However, she attended the Roman Catholic high school in Los Angeles.</p>


Markle, 36, is understood to have chosen to be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican church out of respect for Queen Elizabeth

US actress Meghan Markle has been baptised by the leader of the Church of England ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry in May, the Daily Mail reported on Thursday. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby performed the 45-minute ceremony at London's Chapel Royal on Tuesday in the presence of Prince Charles, her future father-in-law, the paper said. Prince Harry's Kensington Palace office declined to comment. Markle, 36, is understood to have chosen to be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican church out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II's role as the head of the denomination. The ceremony involved the "Suits" actress being doused with holy water from the River Jordan from the private royal family font, according to the Mail. The couple will wed on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, a residence of Queen Elizabeth II's located west of London. Markle's father is an Episcopalian –- an offshoot of the Anglican Church in the US -- while her mother belonged to another Protestant denomination. However, she attended the Roman Catholic high school in Los Angeles.

Meghan Markle baptised ahead of royal wedding: Report

<p>The former &quot;Suits&quot;&nbsp;actress <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-meghan-markle-departs-suits-after-engagement-to-prince-harry-25464" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a> is planning a quiet party to celebrate her upcoming nuptials to Prince Harry and will just be joined some of her closest friends.</p>

<p>A source said: &quot;Meghan will be having a party but won&#39;t be calling it her &#39;bachelorette&#39;. Think low key, think somewhere out of London, good food and drink, a little music. It won&#39;t be wild. Expect to see the usual faces, with [her] best friends Markus Anderson, Lindsay Jill Roth and Jessica Mulroney taking top seats at the table.&quot;</p>

<p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meghan-markle-deletes-all-social-media-accounts-ahead-of-marriage-to-prince-harry-29177" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Meghan Markle deletes all social media accounts ahead of marriage to Prince Harry</a></strong></em></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-will-priyanka-be-a-bridesmaid-at-prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-royal-wedding-25506" target="_blank"><em><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;Priyanka Chopra bridesmaid at Prince Harry, Meghan Markle&#39;s royal wedding?</strong></em></a></p>

<p>Meghan hasn&#39;t started a bridal registry and instead wants her friends and family to donate to charity instead.</p>

<p>A source told Us Weekly magazine: &quot;[There won&#39;t be registry], they want to encourage friends, family and well-wishers to donate anonymously to a charity gift fund.&quot;</p>

<p><em><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meet-meghan-markle-the-mix-race-actress-set-to-marry-britains-prince-harry-25266" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Meet Meghan Markle: The mix-race actress set to marry Britain&#39;s Prince Harry</a></strong></em></p>

<p>It comes after royal expert Alastair Bruce revealed Harry and Meghan will likely have half as many guests as Prince William and Duchess Catherine at their wedding.</p>

<p>Bruce said: &quot;It&#39;s very much a matter for the bride and the groom. The thing about Prince Harry is that he&#39;s not seen to be in the direct line of succession, and therefore the pressure on him to invite the long list of people, who had to be asked to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is not present.&quot;</p>

<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-meghan-markle-love-story-to-be-made-into-a-tv-movie-29693" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Prince Harry, Meghan Markle love story to be made into a TV movie</a></em></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the royal couple has reportedly been advised against their first choice wedding reception venue of Frogmore House, Windsor Home Park.</p>

<p>A senior royal source said: &quot;They would have loved Frogmore for the party, particularly Meghan, who has called it &#39;dreamy&#39;, but they have been told St George&#39;s Hall is far more practical ... One person who would have readily approved of their choice was the queen, for whom Frogmore is a very special place. The queen would also have loved the family to see what had been done at Frogmore: the house has just been renovated by a group of friends as a 70th wedding anniversary gift to her and Philip.&quot;</p>

<p><em>Credit: BANG Showbiz</em></p>


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to get married on May 19, 2018

The former "Suits" actress Meghan Markle is planning a quiet party to celebrate her upcoming nuptials to Prince Harry and will just be joined some of her closest friends. A source said: "Meghan will be having a party but won't be calling it her 'bachelorette'. Think low key, think somewhere out of London, good food and drink, a little music. It won't be wild. Expect to see the usual faces, with [her] best friends Markus Anderson, Lindsay Jill Roth and Jessica Mulroney taking top seats at the table." Also Read: Meghan Markle deletes all social media accounts ahead of marriage to Prince Harry Also Read: Priyanka Chopra bridesmaid at Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's royal wedding? Meghan hasn't started a bridal registry and instead wants her friends and family to donate to charity instead. A source told Us Weekly magazine: "[There won't be registry], they want to encourage friends, family and well-wishers to donate anonymously to a charity gift fund." Also Read: Meet Meghan Markle: The mix-race actress set to marry Britain's Prince Harry It comes after royal expert Alastair Bruce revealed Harry and Meghan will likely have half as many guests as Prince William and Duchess Catherine at their wedding. Bruce said: "It's very much a matter for the bride and the groom. The thing about Prince Harry is that he's not seen to be in the direct line of succession, and therefore the pressure on him to invite the long list of people, who had to be asked to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is not present." Also Read: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle love story to be made into a TV movie Meanwhile, the royal couple has reportedly been advised against their first choice wedding reception venue of Frogmore House, Windsor Home Park. A senior royal source said: "They would have loved Frogmore for the party, particularly Meghan, who has called it 'dreamy', but they have been told St George's Hall is far more practical ... One person who would have readily approved of their choice was the queen, for whom Frogmore is a very special place. The queen would also have loved the family to see what had been done at Frogmore: the house has just been renovated by a group of friends as a 70th wedding anniversary gift to her and Philip." Credit: BANG Showbiz

Meghan Markle's low key hen party

<p>Ever since Prince Harry announced his<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-announces-his-engagement-to-actress-meghan-markle-25254" target="_blank"> engagement</a> and soon-to-happen <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">wedding </a>with American actress <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meet-meghan-markle-the-mix-race-actress-set-to-marry-britains-prince-harry-25266" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a>, paparazzi have been following the royal couple, trying to find out new developments in their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the most recent update, Meghan Markle is expected to deliver her own speech at her royal wedding with Prince Harry. It would be a break from centuries-old royal tradition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-meghan-markles-low-key-hen-party-30421">Meghan Markle&#39;s low key hen party</a></p>

<p>It is understood that the actress will be speaking during their&nbsp;reception at Windsor Castle following the wedding ceremony on May 19. The function is expected to host around 800 guests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>73-year-old Thomas, Meghan Markle&#39;s father will be walking the former actress down the aisle&nbsp;but is less likely to make a speech at the reception.</p>

<p>Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/london-zoo-names-new-arrival-after-prince-harrys-fiance-meghan-markle-7858" target="_blank">London Zoo names new arrival after Prince Harry&#39;s fiance Meghan Markle</a></p>

<p>Markle is expected to be made a Duchess on the day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meghan-markle-deletes-all-social-media-accounts-ahead-of-marriage-to-prince-harry-29177">Meghan Markle deletes all social media accounts ahead of marriage to Prince Harry</a></p>

<p>A popular London-based newspaper report says&nbsp;that she might even make a couple of jokes, and is said to have&nbsp;Prince Harry&rsquo;s full support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry is yet to announce his best man and his brother Prince William is widely tipped to be among his top choices.</p>

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As per tradition, her 73-year-old father will walk her down the aisle

Ever since Prince Harry announced his engagement and soon-to-happen wedding with American actress Meghan Markle, paparazzi have been following the royal couple, trying to find out new developments in their lives. In the most recent update, Meghan Markle is expected to deliver her own speech at her royal wedding with Prince Harry. It would be a break from centuries-old royal tradition. Also Read: Meghan Markle's low key hen party It is understood that the actress will be speaking during their reception at Windsor Castle following the wedding ceremony on May 19. The function is expected to host around 800 guests. 73-year-old Thomas, Meghan Markle's father will be walking the former actress down the aisle but is less likely to make a speech at the reception. Also Watch: London Zoo names new arrival after Prince Harry's fiance Meghan Markle Markle is expected to be made a Duchess on the day. Also Read: Meghan Markle deletes all social media accounts ahead of marriage to Prince Harry A popular London-based newspaper report says that she might even make a couple of jokes, and is said to have Prince Harry’s full support. Prince Harry is yet to announce his best man and his brother Prince William is widely tipped to be among his top choices.

Meghan Markle to break centuries-old royal tradition by making her own speech

<p>Get ready to witness the romantic journey of Prince Harry and the newest member of the `royal family` Meghan Markle as Lifetime is all set to make a TV movie about the newly engaged pair, ahead of their royal wedding.</p>

<p>According to the Hollywood Reporter, the cable network have announced plans for `Harry &amp; Meghan: The Royal Love Story`, a film which will chronicle the couple`s relationship from when they met through friends in 2016.</p>

<p>It will also document the subsequent scrutiny they faced when their romance was made public.The special will be helmed by Menhaj Huda, previously known for directing `The Royals`.</p>

<p>Casting is currently underway on the project.Before Harry and Meghan, William and Kate were also the focus of not one, but two TV movies. There`s no release date set for `Harry &amp; Meghan: The Royal Love Story` just yet, though.</p>

<p>The 33-year-old prince and his bride-to-be announced their engagement on November 27 last year. They are set to marry at St George`s Chapel, Windsor, on May 19.&nbsp;<br />
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Casting is currently underway on the project.

Get ready to witness the romantic journey of Prince Harry and the newest member of the `royal family` Meghan Markle as Lifetime is all set to make a TV movie about the newly engaged pair, ahead of their royal wedding. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the cable network have announced plans for `Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story`, a film which will chronicle the couple`s relationship from when they met through friends in 2016. It will also document the subsequent scrutiny they faced when their romance was made public.The special will be helmed by Menhaj Huda, previously known for directing `The Royals`. Casting is currently underway on the project.Before Harry and Meghan, William and Kate were also the focus of not one, but two TV movies. There`s no release date set for `Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story` just yet, though. The 33-year-old prince and his bride-to-be announced their engagement on November 27 last year. They are set to marry at St George`s Chapel, Windsor, on May 19.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle love story to be made into a TV movie

<p>The leader of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party announced today he had ended his relationship after his girlfriend reportedly made racist remarks about Prince Harry&#39;s fiancee Meghan Markle.</p>

<p>Henry Bolton said he ended his brief liaison with 25- year-old Jo Marney after the Mail on Sunday newspaper published what he described as &quot;appalling and insulting&quot; text messages she reportedly sent.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t defend these comments whatsoever... As of last night, the romantic side of our relationship is ended,&quot; he told ITV television.</p>

<p>Bolton, who took up the UKIP leadership in September, said Marney had been suspended from the party.</p>

<p>He is under pressure to resign over his liaison.</p>

<p>According to the Mail on Sunday, she wrote messages to a friend complaining that Markle -- an American actress of mixed race who is due to marry Harry in May -- would &quot;taint our royal family&quot; with her &quot;seed&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Next will be a Muslim PM (prime minister). And a black king,&quot; she was reported to have written.</p>

<p>In a statement, Marney said her remarks were &quot;deliberately exaggerated to make a point&quot; and were taken out of context, but &quot;I fully recognise the offence they have caused&quot;.</p>

<p>Bolton had already made headlines this month over his decision to end his marriage and start dating Marney.</p>

<p>He has resisted widespread calls to resign as UKIP&#39;s third elected leader since Nigel Farage stepped down in the wake of Britain&#39;s 2016 vote to leave the European Union.</p>

<p>The party has struggled to find a role since the Brexit referendum and has been beset by infighting.</p>


Henry Bolton said he ended his brief liaison with 25- year-old Jo Marney after the Mail on Sunday newspaper published what he described as "appalling and insulting" text messages she reportedly sent.

The leader of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party announced today he had ended his relationship after his girlfriend reportedly made racist remarks about Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle. Henry Bolton said he ended his brief liaison with 25- year-old Jo Marney after the Mail on Sunday newspaper published what he described as "appalling and insulting" text messages she reportedly sent. "I don't defend these comments whatsoever... As of last night, the romantic side of our relationship is ended," he told ITV television. Bolton, who took up the UKIP leadership in September, said Marney had been suspended from the party. He is under pressure to resign over his liaison. According to the Mail on Sunday, she wrote messages to a friend complaining that Markle -- an American actress of mixed race who is due to marry Harry in May -- would "taint our royal family" with her "seed". "Next will be a Muslim PM (prime minister). And a black king," she was reported to have written. In a statement, Marney said her remarks were "deliberately exaggerated to make a point" and were taken out of context, but "I fully recognise the offence they have caused". Bolton had already made headlines this month over his decision to end his marriage and start dating Marney. He has resisted widespread calls to resign as UKIP's third elected leader since Nigel Farage stepped down in the wake of Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union. The party has struggled to find a role since the Brexit referendum and has been beset by infighting.

UKIP leader dumps lover over racist royal slur

<p>Meghan Markle has been making many changes as she prepares to enter the royal family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Hollywood actress recently deleted all her social media accounts - Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - the&nbsp;Kensington Palace confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ms. Markle is grateful to everyone who has followed her social media accounts over the years, however as she has not used them for some time, she has taken the decision to close them,&rdquo; Kensington Palace told media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The professionally managed Kensington Palace pages document the appearances and news of both her fianc&eacute; and soon-to-be in-laws, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.</p>

<p>Markle&rsquo;s Twitter page (@meghanmarkle), where she had about 475,000 followers and had posted nearly 5,000 tweets, is now gone.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Meghan Markle&#39;s Twitter (Twitter)</p>
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<p>Markle&rsquo;s Instagram page (@meghanmarkle), where she had about 3 million followers and more than 2,000 posts has also been deleted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Meghan Markle&#39;s Instagram (Instagram)</p>
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<p>Markle and Prince Harry visited the London radio station Reprezent for their second official event as an engaged couple earlier this week.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at POP Brixton to visit <a href="https://twitter.com/ReprezentRadio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReprezentRadio</a> ???? <a href="https://t.co/NsxphnLDod">pic.twitter.com/NsxphnLDod</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/950746354795630593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will this afternoon visit <a href="https://twitter.com/ReprezentRadio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReprezentRadio</a> in POP Brixton, to see their work supporting young people through creative training in radio and broadcasting. <a href="https://t.co/QzBUr7MMXA">pic.twitter.com/QzBUr7MMXA</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/950714001138290688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Markle also shut her lifestyle blog <em>The Tig</em> nine months back after she had stopped posting anything on it for a long time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry and Markle will be getting married on May 19 this year. &nbsp;</p>


'Ms. Markle is grateful to everyone who has followed her social media accounts over the years, however as she has not used them for some time, she has taken the decision to close them,' Kensington Palace told media

Meghan Markle has been making many changes as she prepares to enter the royal family. The Hollywood actress recently deleted all her social media accounts - Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - the Kensington Palace confirmed. “Ms. Markle is grateful to everyone who has followed her social media accounts over the years, however as she has not used them for some time, she has taken the decision to close them,” Kensington Palace told media. The professionally managed Kensington Palace pages document the appearances and news of both her fiancé and soon-to-be in-laws, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Markle’s Twitter page (@meghanmarkle), where she had about 475,000 followers and had posted nearly 5,000 tweets, is now gone. Meghan Markle's Twitter (Twitter) × Markle’s Instagram page (@meghanmarkle), where she had about 3 million followers and more than 2,000 posts has also been deleted. Meghan Markle's Instagram (Instagram) × Markle and Prince Harry visited the London radio station Reprezent for their second official event as an engaged couple earlier this week. Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle arrive at POP Brixton to visit @ReprezentRadio ???? pic.twitter.com/NsxphnLDod — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 9, 2018 × Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will this afternoon visit @ReprezentRadio in POP Brixton, to see their work supporting young people through creative training in radio and broadcasting. pic.twitter.com/QzBUr7MMXA — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 9, 2018 × Markle also shut her lifestyle blog The Tig nine months back after she had stopped posting anything on it for a long time. Prince Harry and Markle will be getting married on May 19 this year.

Meghan Markle deletes all social media accounts ahead of marriage to Prince Harry

<p>Britain&#39;s Prince Harry and fiancee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meet-meghan-markle-the-mix-race-actress-set-to-marry-britains-prince-harry-25266" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a> got some tips for their wedding music Tuesday as they made a visit to a radio station in London.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The royal couple were seen together on their second official outing while visiting the Reprezent radio station in Brixton -- set up in 2008 as part of a response to a rise in knife crime among London&#39;s youth.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/ReprezentRadio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReprezentRadio</a> for welcoming Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle to your station this afternoon! ???? <a href="https://t.co/PB0xL2Hx6v">pic.twitter.com/PB0xL2Hx6v</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/950771116229963776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speaking to Reuters, presenter Gloria Beyi, 17, said the couple showed a keen interest in the station&rsquo;s music.</p>

<p>She said, &rdquo;The main thing I observed is they go quite well together. This is genuine - this is the real stuff. Having both of them in one room trying to talk to you and having interest in the station, how it works, the relationship between everyone, it&rsquo;s just so amazing. So, that mixed together at a wedding? Then you&rsquo;re pretty good. Those two genres if they&rsquo;re there, you&rsquo;re pretty sorted for your wedding.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On the station&#39;s wedding music recommendations to the popular couple, she said,&nbsp;&ldquo;A little bit of house, a little bit of hip-hop, cos Harry did say that he is interested in hip-hop and house.&quot;</p>

<p>The couple were greeted by large crowds while on their visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, DJ Jevanni Letford slipped in his business card to Prince Harry while pitching himself to play music at their wedding. Watch the video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just slipped Prince Harry the old business card in a bid to secure that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weddingdj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weddingdj</a> gig <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KensingtonRoyal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ReprezentRadio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReprezentRadio</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/meghanmarkle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@meghanmarkle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/triedit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#triedit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/godj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#godj</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rr4TWkQKIH">pic.twitter.com/Rr4TWkQKIH</a></p>
&mdash; Jevanni Letford (@JevanniLetford) <a href="https://twitter.com/JevanniLetford/status/950751368368803840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>They were earlier spotted on December 25&nbsp;at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandrigham to attend the traditional<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meghan-markle-joins-royal-family-for-christmas-church-service-27681" target="_blank"> Christmas Day church service</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of the fame &quot;Suits&quot; announced their<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-announces-his-engagement-to-actress-meghan-markle-25254" target="_blank"> engagement </a>in November. They will be getting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">married</a> on May 19 at&nbsp;St George&rsquo;s Chapel in Queen Elizabeth&rsquo;s Windsor Castle home to the west of London.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The royal couple will tie the knot at Windsor Castle on May 19

Britain's Prince Harry and fiancee Meghan Markle got some tips for their wedding music Tuesday as they made a visit to a radio station in London. The royal couple were seen together on their second official outing while visiting the Reprezent radio station in Brixton -- set up in 2008 as part of a response to a rise in knife crime among London's youth. Thank you @ReprezentRadio for welcoming Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle to your station this afternoon! ???? pic.twitter.com/PB0xL2Hx6v — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 9, 2018 × Speaking to Reuters, presenter Gloria Beyi, 17, said the couple showed a keen interest in the station’s music. She said, ”The main thing I observed is they go quite well together. This is genuine - this is the real stuff. Having both of them in one room trying to talk to you and having interest in the station, how it works, the relationship between everyone, it’s just so amazing. So, that mixed together at a wedding? Then you’re pretty good. Those two genres if they’re there, you’re pretty sorted for your wedding.” On the station's wedding music recommendations to the popular couple, she said, “A little bit of house, a little bit of hip-hop, cos Harry did say that he is interested in hip-hop and house." The couple were greeted by large crowds while on their visit. Meanwhile, DJ Jevanni Letford slipped in his business card to Prince Harry while pitching himself to play music at their wedding. Watch the video here: Just slipped Prince Harry the old business card in a bid to secure that #weddingdj gig @KensingtonRoyal @ReprezentRadio @meghanmarkle #triedit #godj pic.twitter.com/Rr4TWkQKIH — Jevanni Letford (@JevanniLetford) January 9, 2018 × They were earlier spotted on December 25 at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandrigham to attend the traditional Christmas Day church service. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of the fame "Suits" announced their engagement in November. They will be getting married on May 19 at St George’s Chapel in Queen Elizabeth’s Windsor Castle home to the west of London.

Watch: London DJ pitches himself to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to play music at their wedding

<p>Future sister-in-law of actor Meghan Markle was arrested on New Year&#39;s Eve in Oregon.</p>

<p>She was arrested after she entered&nbsp;into a heated argument with Thomas Markle, half-brother of Meghan Markle, while she was intoxicated.</p>

<p>Darlene Blount is also engaged to Thomas Markel.</p>

<p>Meghan Markle&#39;s sister in law Darlene Blount has been charged with fourth-degree assault.</p>

<p>Earlier in December, the royal couple, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement.</p>

<p>The couple will get married on May 19&nbsp;this year</p>

<p>According to reports,&nbsp;Thomas Markel and Meghan Markel who have the same father, haven&#39;t spoken to each other since 2011.</p>


She was arrested after she got into a heated argument with Thomas Markle

Future sister-in-law of actor Meghan Markle was arrested on New Year's Eve in Oregon. She was arrested after she entered into a heated argument with Thomas Markle, half-brother of Meghan Markle, while she was intoxicated. Darlene Blount is also engaged to Thomas Markel. Meghan Markle's sister in law Darlene Blount has been charged with fourth-degree assault. Earlier in December, the royal couple, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement. The couple will get married on May 19 this year According to reports, Thomas Markel and Meghan Markel who have the same father, haven't spoken to each other since 2011.

Meghan Markel's sister-in-law arrested for assaulting her fiance

<p>Former US President Barack Obama told Britain`s Prince Harry he was concerned social media was &quot;corroding civil discourse&quot;, in what he said was his first interview since leaving the White House, aired Wednesday.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities,&quot; he told the prince, who was guest editing BBC Radio 4`s Today programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases. Things aren`t as simple as they`ve been portrayed in whatever chat room you`ve been in,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>&quot;The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn`t lead to a Balkanisation of society and allows ways of finding common ground.&quot;</p>

<p>The interview was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in September on the sidelines of the Invictus Games, the athletic tournament created by Harry for wounded former soldiers.</p>

<p>Despite admitting concern over the future of the US, Obama, who did not mention his successor Donald Trump by name, said he felt a sense of &quot;serenity&quot; on leaving the White House.</p>

<p>&quot;There was a sense that we had run a good race,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>On his new routine, Obama told the prince: &quot;I wake up later, it`s wonderful to be able to control your day.&quot;</p>

<p>The prince opened the discussion by saying: &quot;This is the first interview you`ve said `yes` to doing since you handed over the reins&quot;, to which Obama replied: &quot;that`s true&quot;.</p>

<p>Harry is due to marry his US actress girlfriend Megan Markle on May 19 at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle near London.</p>

<p>According to British press reports, civil servants are concerned that a wedding invite from the couple to Obama could cause a further rift between Britain and Trump following a series of high-profile spats.</p>


Obama said he was concerned that social media was 'corroding civil discourse'

Former US President Barack Obama told Britain`s Prince Harry he was concerned social media was "corroding civil discourse", in what he said was his first interview since leaving the White House, aired Wednesday. × "One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities," he told the prince, who was guest editing BBC Radio 4`s Today programme. "They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases. Things aren`t as simple as they`ve been portrayed in whatever chat room you`ve been in," he added. "The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn`t lead to a Balkanisation of society and allows ways of finding common ground." The interview was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in September on the sidelines of the Invictus Games, the athletic tournament created by Harry for wounded former soldiers. Despite admitting concern over the future of the US, Obama, who did not mention his successor Donald Trump by name, said he felt a sense of "serenity" on leaving the White House. "There was a sense that we had run a good race," he added. On his new routine, Obama told the prince: "I wake up later, it`s wonderful to be able to control your day." The prince opened the discussion by saying: "This is the first interview you`ve said `yes` to doing since you handed over the reins", to which Obama replied: "that`s true". Harry is due to marry his US actress girlfriend Megan Markle on May 19 at St George`s Chapel in Windsor Castle near London. According to British press reports, civil servants are concerned that a wedding invite from the couple to Obama could cause a further rift between Britain and Trump following a series of high-profile spats.

Watch: Barack Obama warns of dangers of social media in interview with Prince Harry

<p>The Royal family arrived on Monday (December 25) at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandrigham to attend the traditional Christmas Day church service.</p>

<p>Prince Harry&#39;s fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle, joined Queen Elizabeth and other senior Windsors for their family Christmas celebrations, in what commentators said was a break with royal protocol that royal partners must wait until they are married before being invited.</p>

<p>The queen and her close family usually spend the festive season at her Sandringham estate in eastern England and Buckingham Palace said she and the other senior royals would attend the service at the local church on Christmas Day as they have done for many years.</p>

<p>Last month, Queen Elizabeth&#39;s grandson, the fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, who stars in the US TV legal drama &quot;Suits&quot;, announced their engagement with the marriage to take place at Windsor Castle in May next year.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Prince Harry's fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle, joined Queen Elizabeth and other senior Windsors for their family Christmas celebrations, in what commentators said was a break with royal protocol that royal partners must wait until they are married before being invited

The Royal family arrived on Monday (December 25) at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandrigham to attend the traditional Christmas Day church service. Prince Harry's fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle, joined Queen Elizabeth and other senior Windsors for their family Christmas celebrations, in what commentators said was a break with royal protocol that royal partners must wait until they are married before being invited. The queen and her close family usually spend the festive season at her Sandringham estate in eastern England and Buckingham Palace said she and the other senior royals would attend the service at the local church on Christmas Day as they have done for many years. Last month, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, the fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, who stars in the US TV legal drama "Suits", announced their engagement with the marriage to take place at Windsor Castle in May next year.

Meghan Markle joins Royal family for Christmas church service

<p>Is the royal marriage story we&rsquo;re being sold really a fairy tale come true? Or is it a story spun by Buckingham Palace for its own self-interest, one shrouded in myth and make-believe?</p>

<p>In the coverage of next spring&rsquo;s marriage between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, two main narratives have emerged.</p>

<p>One is Markle&rsquo;s mixed-race, American background and how her &ldquo;acceptance&rdquo; to the royal family signals a monarchy willing to loosen its rigid rules.</p>

<p>The other is an improbable love story: A girl from South-Central Los Angeles is plucked from the streets by her dashing Prince Charming (&ldquo;How Meghan went from a seedy Los Angeles tenement to a Palace,&rdquo; as one Daily Mail story put it).</p>

<p>While both have elements of truth, they also ignore the royal family&rsquo;s complicated history with race and &ldquo;blood&rdquo; and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions. As a sociologist who researches questions of race, power and ideology, I believe we are missing the real significance of this marriage.</p>

<p><strong>Out with the old? Not really</strong></p>

<p>The &ldquo;modern royal family&rdquo; narrative overlooks the fact that the monarchy continues to embody a fundamentally traditional idea of British identity, a patriarchal institution steeped in nostalgia for the days of the empire.</p>

<p>In their carefully choreographed first joint interview with the BBC, Markle &ndash; a self-described feminist &ndash; confirmed that she was giving up her acting career in order to take up her new &ldquo;role&rdquo; as the wife of Prince Harry.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the British establishment&rsquo;s long history of anti-Catholicism &ndash; deeply entrenched in its customs, laws and rituals &ndash; was on full view. Buckingham Palace was quick to announce that Markle would be baptised into the Church of England before the couple is married, presumably to assuage any lingering concerns that she might actually be Catholic. (As a teenager, she had attended the private Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.)</p>

<p>Finally, despite some media reports, Meghan isn&rsquo;t actually about to become a princess. Because she doesn&rsquo;t come from &ldquo;royal blood,&rdquo; the arcane rules and protocols of the British aristocratic system mean she will likely be given the title &ldquo;Her Royal Highness,&rdquo; rather than &ldquo;Princess Meghan.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Bloody nonsense</strong></p>

<p>The idea of a distinct blood category for the upper classes is, of course, absurd.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bluebloods,&rdquo; we should remember, is a racialised metaphor. Skin so pale you could see the blue blood beneath &ndash; sangre azul, as the Spanish put it &ndash; signaled a distance from blackness and poverty. As the historian Kate Williams notes, it was used to differentiate &ldquo;the royals from both the tanned peasants working in the fields and the people of colour who were increasingly part of European society.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In 2016, when news first broke of Prince Harry&rsquo;s relationship with Markle, some coverage and commentary were driven by a racial paranoia that the supposed sanctity of the royal blood lineage was being broken (&ldquo;Harry to marry into gangster royalty?&rdquo; a Daily Star headline read). Others pointed to the danger posed not just to Harry&rsquo;s safety in dating a woman from South-Central Los Angeles, a place &ldquo;plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs,&rdquo; but to the integrity of the royal family writ large. Historically, the idea of &ldquo;Britishness&rdquo; has carried unspoken racial connotations; as cultural historian Stuart Hall noted, &ldquo;in common understanding, the nation is usually imagined as white.&rdquo; In this context, the royal family represents the national family, imagined and implicitly understood as white.</p>

<p>Prince Harry, to his credit, issued a rare public rebuke to the media, denouncing the &ldquo;racial undertones of comment pieces.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It appears, then, that this is an important moment in the slow and uneven &ndash; but nonetheless real &ndash; shift in Britain toward acknowledging the evolution of a multiracial society. But the significance of one so-called &ldquo;interracial&rdquo; marriage also shouldn&rsquo;t be overstated.</p>

<p>European royal families have been breeding across ethnic and national lines for centuries. The ever-so-English sounding &ldquo;House of Windsor&rdquo; is, in fact, a name made up by King George V. The real name of the Windsors was, up until then, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. But in order to make it easier for the royal family to encourage the British working classes to take up arms against the Germans in 1917, they wanted to gloss over the uncomfortable fact that the family&rsquo;s background was more German than British.</p>

<p>Even &ldquo;black blood&rdquo; among the &ldquo;blue bloods&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t new. Some historians have suggested that Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, likely had black African ancestry. Similarly, David Williamson, co-editor of the British etiquette periodical Debrett&rsquo;s Peerage, has argued that &ldquo;all European royal families somewhere are linked to the kings of Castile. There is a lot of Moorish blood in the Portuguese royal family and it has diffused over the rest of Europe.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>A shot in the (pale) arm?</strong></p>

<p>For decades, royalists have worried about the monarchy&rsquo;s future once Queen Elizabeth II finally goes. There&rsquo;s the absurdity of believing in kings and queens ordained by God, of course. But Prince Charles, the next in line, isn&rsquo;t widely liked.</p>

<p>This marriage could be an unexpected lifeline. Just as The House of Windsor (n&eacute;e Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) reinvented itself 100 years ago in order to maintain its authority, a familiar chain of events could be playing out.</p>

<p>Ironically, it is the Windsors who stand to gain the most from this relationship by maintaining their popular standing and public reputation &ndash; and, therefore, their legitimacy &ndash; by adding a touch of beautiful, light-skinned &ldquo;diversity&rdquo; into the lily-white family tree.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Genetically, [Markle] is blessed,&rdquo; enthused journalist Rachel Johnson (a sister of prominent MP Boris Johnson), using eugenics-style colonial reasoning to approve of the relationship.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The Windsors,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;will thicken their watery, thin blue blood and Spencer pale skin and ginger hair with some rich and exotic DNA.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Unlike most royal marriages, which tend to be politically arranged affairs driven largely by the dynastic requirements of Europe&rsquo;s aristocratic families, Harry and Meghan do appear to be genuinely in love with each other. Outside of royal circles, so-called &ldquo;mixed-race&rdquo; relationships are no longer exceptional, but actually represent an increasing number of family units in modern Britain.</p>

<p>By adapting to Britain&rsquo;s changing social and cultural landscape, the royal family is desperately trying to broaden its popular appeal. Contrary to the British press&rsquo;s narrative, we might say that Harry&rsquo;s the one &ldquo;marrying up&rdquo; &ndash; not the black actress from LA.</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-british-monarchy-actually-adapting-to-changing-social-norms-88285" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</em></p>


Much of the Harry and Meghan coverage has ignored the royal family's complicated history with race and "blood" and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions.

Is the royal marriage story we’re being sold really a fairy tale come true? Or is it a story spun by Buckingham Palace for its own self-interest, one shrouded in myth and make-believe? In the coverage of next spring’s marriage between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, two main narratives have emerged. One is Markle’s mixed-race, American background and how her “acceptance” to the royal family signals a monarchy willing to loosen its rigid rules. The other is an improbable love story: A girl from South-Central Los Angeles is plucked from the streets by her dashing Prince Charming (“How Meghan went from a seedy Los Angeles tenement to a Palace,” as one Daily Mail story put it). While both have elements of truth, they also ignore the royal family’s complicated history with race and “blood” and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions. As a sociologist who researches questions of race, power and ideology, I believe we are missing the real significance of this marriage. Out with the old? Not really The “modern royal family” narrative overlooks the fact that the monarchy continues to embody a fundamentally traditional idea of British identity, a patriarchal institution steeped in nostalgia for the days of the empire. In their carefully choreographed first joint interview with the BBC, Markle – a self-described feminist – confirmed that she was giving up her acting career in order to take up her new “role” as the wife of Prince Harry. Meanwhile, the British establishment’s long history of anti-Catholicism – deeply entrenched in its customs, laws and rituals – was on full view. Buckingham Palace was quick to announce that Markle would be baptised into the Church of England before the couple is married, presumably to assuage any lingering concerns that she might actually be Catholic. (As a teenager, she had attended the private Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.) Finally, despite some media reports, Meghan isn’t actually about to become a princess. Because she doesn’t come from “royal blood,” the arcane rules and protocols of the British aristocratic system mean she will likely be given the title “Her Royal Highness,” rather than “Princess Meghan.” Bloody nonsense The idea of a distinct blood category for the upper classes is, of course, absurd. “Bluebloods,” we should remember, is a racialised metaphor. Skin so pale you could see the blue blood beneath – sangre azul, as the Spanish put it – signaled a distance from blackness and poverty. As the historian Kate Williams notes, it was used to differentiate “the royals from both the tanned peasants working in the fields and the people of colour who were increasingly part of European society.” In 2016, when news first broke of Prince Harry’s relationship with Markle, some coverage and commentary were driven by a racial paranoia that the supposed sanctity of the royal blood lineage was being broken (“Harry to marry into gangster royalty?” a Daily Star headline read). Others pointed to the danger posed not just to Harry’s safety in dating a woman from South-Central Los Angeles, a place “plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs,” but to the integrity of the royal family writ large. Historically, the idea of “Britishness” has carried unspoken racial connotations; as cultural historian Stuart Hall noted, “in common understanding, the nation is usually imagined as white.” In this context, the royal family represents the national family, imagined and implicitly understood as white. Prince Harry, to his credit, issued a rare public rebuke to the media, denouncing the “racial undertones of comment pieces.” It appears, then, that this is an important moment in the slow and uneven – but nonetheless real – shift in Britain toward acknowledging the evolution of a multiracial society. But the significance of one so-called “interracial” marriage also shouldn’t be overstated. European royal families have been breeding across ethnic and national lines for centuries. The ever-so-English sounding “House of Windsor” is, in fact, a name made up by King George V. The real name of the Windsors was, up until then, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. But in order to make it easier for the royal family to encourage the British working classes to take up arms against the Germans in 1917, they wanted to gloss over the uncomfortable fact that the family’s background was more German than British. Even “black blood” among the “blue bloods” isn’t new. Some historians have suggested that Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, likely had black African ancestry. Similarly, David Williamson, co-editor of the British etiquette periodical Debrett’s Peerage, has argued that “all European royal families somewhere are linked to the kings of Castile. There is a lot of Moorish blood in the Portuguese royal family and it has diffused over the rest of Europe.” A shot in the (pale) arm? For decades, royalists have worried about the monarchy’s future once Queen Elizabeth II finally goes. There’s the absurdity of believing in kings and queens ordained by God, of course. But Prince Charles, the next in line, isn’t widely liked. This marriage could be an unexpected lifeline. Just as The House of Windsor (née Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) reinvented itself 100 years ago in order to maintain its authority, a familiar chain of events could be playing out. Ironically, it is the Windsors who stand to gain the most from this relationship by maintaining their popular standing and public reputation – and, therefore, their legitimacy – by adding a touch of beautiful, light-skinned “diversity” into the lily-white family tree. “Genetically, [Markle] is blessed,” enthused journalist Rachel Johnson (a sister of prominent MP Boris Johnson), using eugenics-style colonial reasoning to approve of the relationship. “The Windsors,” she added, “will thicken their watery, thin blue blood and Spencer pale skin and ginger hair with some rich and exotic DNA.” Unlike most royal marriages, which tend to be politically arranged affairs driven largely by the dynastic requirements of Europe’s aristocratic families, Harry and Meghan do appear to be genuinely in love with each other. Outside of royal circles, so-called “mixed-race” relationships are no longer exceptional, but actually represent an increasing number of family units in modern Britain. By adapting to Britain’s changing social and cultural landscape, the royal family is desperately trying to broaden its popular appeal. Contrary to the British press’s narrative, we might say that Harry’s the one “marrying up” – not the black actress from LA. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Is the British monarchy actually adapting to changing social norms?

<p>In a video making rounds on the internet, Prince Harry of Wales can be seen interviewing former US President Barack Obama.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry interviewed Obama for a BBC Radio 4 show as part of a guest editor gig for the station.&nbsp;According to Kensington Palace, the interview&nbsp;focuses on Obama&rsquo;s final day in office and his post-presidential plans, which include his initiatives through the Obama Foundation.</p>

<p><em><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">Prince Harry and Meghan Markle&#39;s wedding date has been officially announced</a></strong></em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prince Harry&#39;s guest editorship of <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCRadio4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCRadio4</a> Today programme on the 27th December will feature an interview with former US President <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarackObama</a>. The interview focuses on their shared interest in building platforms for the next generation of young leaders. <a href="https://t.co/HaBaW0F5pM">pic.twitter.com/HaBaW0F5pM</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/942349496725499904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kensington Palace posted a preview of the interaction on its official Twitter page while the full interview will air on BBC Radio 4 on December 27.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here is a sneak preview of when <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarackObama</a> met Prince Harry for the interview. Listen to the full interview on 27th December on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCr4today?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCr4today</a>. <a href="https://t.co/p5I1dUdyhx">pic.twitter.com/p5I1dUdyhx</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/942353717101318144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The interview was conducted when the two&nbsp;were at the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-with-actress-girlfriend-meghan-markle-launch-the-third-invictus-games-20572" target="_blank"> Invictus Games</a> in Toronto in September.</p>

<p>The duo&#39;s friendship dates to the month of May when Obama visited Prince Harry at Kensington Palace, where they discussed &ldquo;a range of shared interests,&rdquo; including empowering young people and the goals of their foundations, according to the palace.</p>

<p>Obama had even congratulated Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-barack-obama-congratulates-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-on-their-engagement-25297" target="_blank">Twitter</a> after the couple announced their engagement last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


It is said that the interview happened when the two met during Invictus Games in September

In a video making rounds on the internet, Prince Harry of Wales can be seen interviewing former US President Barack Obama. Prince Harry interviewed Obama for a BBC Radio 4 show as part of a guest editor gig for the station. According to Kensington Palace, the interview focuses on Obama’s final day in office and his post-presidential plans, which include his initiatives through the Obama Foundation. Also Read: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date has been officially announced Prince Harry's guest editorship of @BBCRadio4 Today programme on the 27th December will feature an interview with former US President @BarackObama. The interview focuses on their shared interest in building platforms for the next generation of young leaders. pic.twitter.com/HaBaW0F5pM — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 17, 2017 × Kensington Palace posted a preview of the interaction on its official Twitter page while the full interview will air on BBC Radio 4 on December 27. Here is a sneak preview of when @BarackObama met Prince Harry for the interview. Listen to the full interview on 27th December on @BBCr4today. pic.twitter.com/p5I1dUdyhx — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 17, 2017 × The interview was conducted when the two were at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September. The duo's friendship dates to the month of May when Obama visited Prince Harry at Kensington Palace, where they discussed “a range of shared interests,” including empowering young people and the goals of their foundations, according to the palace. Obama had even congratulated Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Twitter after the couple announced their engagement last month.

Watch: Prince Harry interviews Barack Obama for radio show

<p>It is official now. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to get married on May 19th, 2018. The announcement was made on behalf of the couple by officials of <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal">Kensington Palace</a>&nbsp;on their Twitter page.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Today&#39;s announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George&#39;s Chapel, Windsor Castle.(sic)&quot; the tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018.<br />
<br />
Today&#39;s announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George&#39;s Chapel, Windsor Castle. <a href="https://t.co/7pgdRM90Na">pic.twitter.com/7pgdRM90Na</a></p>
&mdash; Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/941654708661444608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The couple announced their engagement earlier this month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to BBC, the royal family would be paying for the wedding,&nbsp;including the service, music, flowers and reception.</p>


Kensington Palace made the official announcement on their Twitter page.

It is official now. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to get married on May 19th, 2018. The announcement was made on behalf of the couple by officials of Kensington Palace on their Twitter page. "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.(sic)" the tweet read. His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/7pgdRM90Na — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 15, 2017 × The couple announced their engagement earlier this month. According to BBC, the royal family would be paying for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and reception.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date has been officially announced

<p>Prince Harry and his American &quot;Suits&quot; star fiance Meghan Markle will be visiting charity fair in Nottingham on World Aids Day, as the couple&#39;s first royal engagement.</p>

<p>The couple is due to marry in May 2018, at Windsor Castle. They announced their engagement on Monday.</p>

<p>The royal couple will also meet head-teachers at the Nottingham Academy after attending the fair which is going to be hosted by Terrence Higgins Trust.</p>

<p>Prince Harry has visited Nottingham many times for past four years for meeting up with youth workers and young people helped by the full effect project, a community group backed by the Prince&#39;s Royal Foundation.</p>

<p>The group works to stop youth violence and crime through a variety of projects from workshops, film production and sports programmes.</p>

<p>Restaurants and bars in Nottingham are expecting a boost in their business out of this visit, as hundreds of people are expected to visit the city for a glimpse of Harry and Meghan.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prince Harry and his American 'Suits' star fiance Meghan Markle will be visiting charity fair in Nottingham on World Aids Day, as the couple's first royal engagement

Prince Harry and his American "Suits" star fiance Meghan Markle will be visiting charity fair in Nottingham on World Aids Day, as the couple's first royal engagement. The couple is due to marry in May 2018, at Windsor Castle. They announced their engagement on Monday. The royal couple will also meet head-teachers at the Nottingham Academy after attending the fair which is going to be hosted by Terrence Higgins Trust. Prince Harry has visited Nottingham many times for past four years for meeting up with youth workers and young people helped by the full effect project, a community group backed by the Prince's Royal Foundation. The group works to stop youth violence and crime through a variety of projects from workshops, film production and sports programmes. Restaurants and bars in Nottingham are expecting a boost in their business out of this visit, as hundreds of people are expected to visit the city for a glimpse of Harry and Meghan.

Royal couple Harry, Meghan to make first official visit to Nottingham

<p>Prince Harry&#39;s ex Cressida&nbsp;Bonas posted an Instagram picture just 24 hours after the royal <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-announces-his-engagement-to-actress-meghan-markle-25254" target="_blank">announced his engagement </a>to US TV actress <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meet-meghan-markle-the-mix-race-actress-set-to-marry-britains-prince-harry-25266" target="_blank">Meghan Markle</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The picture features two animated figures hanging from swings, reaching out to one another.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The post reads:&nbsp;&quot;No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells it all.&quot;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcC14ZgAqJG/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Truth ???? #quotestoliveby ??????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Cressida Bonas (@cressida_bonas_) on <time datetime="2017-11-28T15:44:35+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 28, 2017 at 7:44am PST</time></p>
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<p>Socialite Cressida Bonas had split from the prince in 2014 after the two dated each other for two years. A year later in 2015, there were reports of the two coming back together and getting engaged but the couple never got back together.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry in 2014. (Others)</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, Prince Harry is scheduled to get married to Meghan Markle in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. Prince Harry<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-prince-harry-proposed-meghan-markle-while-cooking-a-roast-chicken-25294" target="_blank"> proposed</a> Meghan a month ago while the pair were cooking a roast chicken in&nbsp;Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace.</p>

<p><em><strong>In Pictures:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/prince-harry-meghan-markle-to-marry-in-windsor-in-may-575" target="_blank">Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to marry in Windsor in May</a></strong></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prince Harry announced his engagement to US TV actress Meghan Markle earlier this week

Prince Harry's ex Cressida Bonas posted an Instagram picture just 24 hours after the royal announced his engagement to US TV actress Meghan Markle. The picture features two animated figures hanging from swings, reaching out to one another. The post reads: "No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells it all." Truth ???? #quotestoliveby ?????? A post shared by Cressida Bonas (@cressida_bonas_) on Nov 28, 2017 at 7:44am PST × Socialite Cressida Bonas had split from the prince in 2014 after the two dated each other for two years. A year later in 2015, there were reports of the two coming back together and getting engaged but the couple never got back together. Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry in 2014. (Others) × Meanwhile, Prince Harry is scheduled to get married to Meghan Markle in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. Prince Harry proposed Meghan a month ago while the pair were cooking a roast chicken in Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace. In Pictures: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to marry in Windsor in May

This is how Prince Harry's ex apparently reacted to news of his engagement

<p>Barack Obama, on March 18, 2008, delivered arguably his most powerful address to date. He opened with words extracted from the Preamble to the United States Constitution, &ldquo;We the people, in order to make a more perfect union,&rdquo; and went on the chronicle his own interconnected ethnic heritage: &ldquo;I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He then moved to his personal progress: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world&rsquo;s poorest nations.&rdquo; In an inspired and redolent passage, with a sure a nod to his African American doubters, Obama reminded his audience: &ldquo;I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners &mdash; an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Let&rsquo;s fantasise for a moment. Eighteen months from now, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announce they are expecting their first child. Meghan heralds the arrival, expressing her approval of Obama&rsquo;s words: &ldquo;I am the daughter of a black American woman who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners &mdash; an inheritance, my husband Harry and I will, in time, pass on to our precious child.&rdquo;</p>

<p>By that time, we can surmise Meghan will have grown comfortable with the British media and accustomed to the obtuse way they ask questions about her ethnic identity. She&rsquo;ll also have realised that her insistence that she is biracial and proud of it, simply doesn&rsquo;t fly in Britain, a nation that has pursued a policy of multiculturalism and, later, cultural diversity expressly avoiding any mention of race or racial to remove any trace of biology. Biracial has too many unwholesome connotations. Meghan will get this and stop using the term.</p>

<p>We prefer the clumsier but more accurate &ldquo;mixed heritage&rdquo; to biracial and, as for &ldquo;people of colour&rdquo; &mdash; well, people get fired for that kind of anachronistic language in the UK. So Meghan will no doubt be advised to discover a new lexicon.</p>

<p>But sooner or later she will find the occasion to make a pronouncement that will either horrify or gratify the British public. At the moment, people are too excited about the prospect of a glamorous American from the entertainment industry to concern themselves overly with her ethnicity. But it&rsquo;s certain to appear at some point over the next year or so.</p>

<p><strong>Welcome to the 21st century</strong></p>

<p>The British media have welcomed the uncertainty Meghan brings to the Royals. The UK&rsquo;s top-selling newspaper, The Sun, shares the same sentiment as many others with its headline &ldquo;Finally, the Royal Family have joined Britain in the 21st century &mdash; no more blue blood and poshos,&rdquo; as if Meghan was a catalyst who will change an anachronistic institution into one fit for the next generation.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Even a generation ago, the idea of a prince marrying a mixed-race actress could never be contemplated,&rdquo; it reflected (incorporating not one, but two very 20th-century words). It went on: &ldquo;When Prince Charles was Harry&rsquo;s age, he was expected to marry someone white, blue-blooded and a virgin,&rdquo; though such virtuous maidens must have been in short supply in the early 1980s.</p>

<p>The paper&rsquo;s nearest rival, The Daily Mail, was prepared to turn what would have been a major contravention of protocol in the 1980s to a dutiful observance of cultural change. &ldquo;A bride descended from slaves,&rdquo; as it called Meghan, has helped the Royals prove &ldquo;sneering snobs wrong.&rdquo; In other words, the royals embrace rather than retard change.</p>

<p>The I&rsquo;s Yasmin Alibhai-Brown was left unmoved, however. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t share the racial optimism,&rdquo; she confirmed, though without offering a clarification of the meaning of &ldquo;racial optimism.&rdquo; &ldquo;The truth is that Diana&rsquo;s sons are being used by Charles to appeal to modern Britons &hellip; Some conspiracy theories ring true.&rdquo; Setting aside the provenance of her claims to &ldquo;truth&rdquo; (conspiracy theories?), the impression is that Meghan&rsquo;s role is comparable to that of a dupe: someone who conveniently fills the role of bride and is walking blithely but unknowingly into &ldquo;a dysfunctional, cold and unnatural family.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Ethnic chameleon</strong></p>

<p>This seems profoundly insulting to Meghan, a woman who seems securely at ease with her commitments and decisions, as well as her ethnic origins and appears nobody&rsquo;s fool. &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t black enough for the black roles,&rdquo; she concluded early in her acting career, though now she&rsquo;s able &ldquo;to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On the incidents in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 and Baltimore in 2015, both involving conflict between police officers and African Americans, Meghan said to the UK edition of Elle: &ldquo;As a biracial woman, I watch in horror as both side of a culture I define as my own become victims of spin the media.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In the same article, she described herself as &ldquo;the ethnic chameleon,&rdquo; presumably meaning she&rsquo;s developed the ability to change her ethnic identity to suit different contexts &mdash; a capability that should equip her well over the coming years.</p>

<p>Her engagement to Harry will introduce royal family devotees and probably everyone else into a new narrative where human crises, especially those involving racism, will be collected and expressed in a way that demands our attention. Imagine if Meghan were around in the 1990s when the case of Stephen Lawrence was on everyone&rsquo;s mind.</p>

<p>She isn&rsquo;t about to stand up and issue polemics at every instance of social injustice, but there is no doubt she will engage. And she now has propriety rights to do so. This may haunt the stodgier members of the royal family as Diana did. But Meghan is a bright spark and will both light up and electrify the royals and the land over which they rule.</p>

<p>I won&rsquo;t spoil the twist by revealing what Meghan will do next. But she is nobody&rsquo;s stooge: not the queen&rsquo;s, not Prince Charles&rsquo;, not the palace&rsquo;s. Her zeal for self-examination will extend to British society: She brings not just a new face to the family, but a new perspective.</p>

<p>One of life&rsquo;s benevolent, capricious breezes has swept her to Britain and even the few curmudgeonly Brits who now resent the apparent loss of &ldquo;racial purity,&rdquo; or regard her a sop, will soon have to accept that she is going to become the most fascinating and relevant member of the royals since Diana.</p>

<p>This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/europe/meghan-markle-prince-harry-engaged-royal-wedding-uk-news-01555/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">Fair Observer</a>.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


Meghan Markle is set to become the most fascinating and relevant member of the British royal family since Princess Diana

Barack Obama, on March 18, 2008, delivered arguably his most powerful address to date. He opened with words extracted from the Preamble to the United States Constitution, “We the people, in order to make a more perfect union,” and went on the chronicle his own interconnected ethnic heritage: “I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas.” He then moved to his personal progress: “I’ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world’s poorest nations.” In an inspired and redolent passage, with a sure a nod to his African American doubters, Obama reminded his audience: “I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners — an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters.” Let’s fantasise for a moment. Eighteen months from now, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announce they are expecting their first child. Meghan heralds the arrival, expressing her approval of Obama’s words: “I am the daughter of a black American woman who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners — an inheritance, my husband Harry and I will, in time, pass on to our precious child.” By that time, we can surmise Meghan will have grown comfortable with the British media and accustomed to the obtuse way they ask questions about her ethnic identity. She’ll also have realised that her insistence that she is biracial and proud of it, simply doesn’t fly in Britain, a nation that has pursued a policy of multiculturalism and, later, cultural diversity expressly avoiding any mention of race or racial to remove any trace of biology. Biracial has too many unwholesome connotations. Meghan will get this and stop using the term. We prefer the clumsier but more accurate “mixed heritage” to biracial and, as for “people of colour” — well, people get fired for that kind of anachronistic language in the UK. So Meghan will no doubt be advised to discover a new lexicon. But sooner or later she will find the occasion to make a pronouncement that will either horrify or gratify the British public. At the moment, people are too excited about the prospect of a glamorous American from the entertainment industry to concern themselves overly with her ethnicity. But it’s certain to appear at some point over the next year or so. Welcome to the 21st century The British media have welcomed the uncertainty Meghan brings to the Royals. The UK’s top-selling newspaper, The Sun, shares the same sentiment as many others with its headline “Finally, the Royal Family have joined Britain in the 21st century — no more blue blood and poshos,” as if Meghan was a catalyst who will change an anachronistic institution into one fit for the next generation. “Even a generation ago, the idea of a prince marrying a mixed-race actress could never be contemplated,” it reflected (incorporating not one, but two very 20th-century words). It went on: “When Prince Charles was Harry’s age, he was expected to marry someone white, blue-blooded and a virgin,” though such virtuous maidens must have been in short supply in the early 1980s. The paper’s nearest rival, The Daily Mail, was prepared to turn what would have been a major contravention of protocol in the 1980s to a dutiful observance of cultural change. “A bride descended from slaves,” as it called Meghan, has helped the Royals prove “sneering snobs wrong.” In other words, the royals embrace rather than retard change. The I’s Yasmin Alibhai-Brown was left unmoved, however. “I don’t share the racial optimism,” she confirmed, though without offering a clarification of the meaning of “racial optimism.” “The truth is that Diana’s sons are being used by Charles to appeal to modern Britons … Some conspiracy theories ring true.” Setting aside the provenance of her claims to “truth” (conspiracy theories?), the impression is that Meghan’s role is comparable to that of a dupe: someone who conveniently fills the role of bride and is walking blithely but unknowingly into “a dysfunctional, cold and unnatural family.” Ethnic chameleon This seems profoundly insulting to Meghan, a woman who seems securely at ease with her commitments and decisions, as well as her ethnic origins and appears nobody’s fool. “I wasn’t black enough for the black roles,” she concluded early in her acting career, though now she’s able “to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.” On the incidents in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 and Baltimore in 2015, both involving conflict between police officers and African Americans, Meghan said to the UK edition of Elle: “As a biracial woman, I watch in horror as both side of a culture I define as my own become victims of spin the media.” In the same article, she described herself as “the ethnic chameleon,” presumably meaning she’s developed the ability to change her ethnic identity to suit different contexts — a capability that should equip her well over the coming years. Her engagement to Harry will introduce royal family devotees and probably everyone else into a new narrative where human crises, especially those involving racism, will be collected and expressed in a way that demands our attention. Imagine if Meghan were around in the 1990s when the case of Stephen Lawrence was on everyone’s mind. She isn’t about to stand up and issue polemics at every instance of social injustice, but there is no doubt she will engage. And she now has propriety rights to do so. This may haunt the stodgier members of the royal family as Diana did. But Meghan is a bright spark and will both light up and electrify the royals and the land over which they rule. I won’t spoil the twist by revealing what Meghan will do next. But she is nobody’s stooge: not the queen’s, not Prince Charles’, not the palace’s. Her zeal for self-examination will extend to British society: She brings not just a new face to the family, but a new perspective. One of life’s benevolent, capricious breezes has swept her to Britain and even the few curmudgeonly Brits who now resent the apparent loss of “racial purity,” or regard her a sop, will soon have to accept that she is going to become the most fascinating and relevant member of the royals since Diana. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Meghan Markle, Britain's American princess

<p>Ever since Prince Harry and&nbsp;Meghan Markle announced their engagement, there has been an outpour of congratulatory messages for the couple from celebs and world leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Our desi girl Priyanka Chopra, a good friend of Meghan Markle&#39;s also shared an Instagram post recently showering her blessings on the couple.</p>

<p>Her post reads: &ldquo;Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I&rsquo;m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ????????&rdquo;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcA3fplASko/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I&rsquo;m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ????????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on <time datetime="2017-11-27T21:20:12+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 27, 2017 at 1:20pm PST</time></p>
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<p>The post has now sparked off speculation if the Bollywood star would also be attending the royal wedding in the spring of 2018.</p>

<p>Priyanka and Meghan are good friends. They first met&nbsp;at a party in Toronto, Canada, when Meghan was shooting for her popular legal drama series &quot;Suits&quot;. The two then grew close after Meghan interviewed Priyanka for a lifestyle blog she used to run. The two actresses have also been spotted having a good time together via social media posts they share on each other&#39;s profiles.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNQjYcjDHXD/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Girls just wanna have fun.. @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey #LAlife</a></p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFt2LLHpszR/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Girls day out.. #whoruletheworld @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey thank u for the kinda day I needed</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on <time datetime="2016-05-22T16:32:25+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 22, 2016 at 9:32am PDT</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFsSNk_GBLQ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This gem. Thank you for the best day of girl talk @priyankachopra ?? #thechipettes #collections #tiptoevoice with the amazing @mubinarattonsey</a></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


If it's true then Priyanka might be the first Bollywood celebrity to attend a British royal's wedding

Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement, there has been an outpour of congratulatory messages for the couple from celebs and world leaders. Our desi girl Priyanka Chopra, a good friend of Meghan Markle's also shared an Instagram post recently showering her blessings on the couple. Her post reads: “Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I’m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ????????” Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I’m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ???????? A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Nov 27, 2017 at 1:20pm PST × The post has now sparked off speculation if the Bollywood star would also be attending the royal wedding in the spring of 2018. Priyanka and Meghan are good friends. They first met at a party in Toronto, Canada, when Meghan was shooting for her popular legal drama series "Suits". The two then grew close after Meghan interviewed Priyanka for a lifestyle blog she used to run. The two actresses have also been spotted having a good time together via social media posts they share on each other's profiles. Girls just wanna have fun.. @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey #LAlife A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Nov 25, 2016 at 7:41pm PST × Girls day out.. #whoruletheworld @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey thank u for the kinda day I needed A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 22, 2016 at 9:32am PDT × This gem. Thank you for the best day of girl talk @priyankachopra ?? #thechipettes #collections #tiptoevoice with the amazing @mubinarattonsey A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on May 21, 2016 at 6:58pm PDT ×

Priyanka Chopra bridesmaid at Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's royal wedding?

<p>In a fascinating revelation, Meghan Markle`s childhood friend disclosed that the actress was always fascinated by the royal family and hoped to be Princess Diana 2.0 someday.<br />
<br />
On hearing the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle`s engagement, Markle`s friend Ninaki Priddy said, &quot;I`m not shocked at all. It`s like she has been planning this all her life,&quot; reported News.com.au.&quot;She gets exactly what she wants, and Harry has fallen for her play,&quot; Priddy added.<br />
<br />
As 15-year olds, Markle and Priddy had traveled to London for a trip in 1996, when they had both posed for a photo, sitting on a metal railing in front of Buckingham Palace and gleaming with happiness.&quot;She was always fascinated by the royal family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0. She will play her role ably. But my advice to him (Prince Harry) is to tread cautiously,&quot; Priddy said.<br />
<br />
On Monday, while announcing her engagement, Markle claimed that she `didn`t know much` about her blue-blood fiance or his royal family before she met him.&quot;Because I`m from the States, you don`t grow up with the same understanding of the royal family&quot;, Markle confessed.<br />
<br />
Looks like Meghan Markle is one of those few lucky people, whose fairy-tale dreams came true.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Meghan Markle`s childhood friend disclosed that the actress was always fascinated by the royal family

In a fascinating revelation, Meghan Markle`s childhood friend disclosed that the actress was always fascinated by the royal family and hoped to be Princess Diana 2.0 someday. On hearing the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle`s engagement, Markle`s friend Ninaki Priddy said, "I`m not shocked at all. It`s like she has been planning this all her life," reported News.com.au."She gets exactly what she wants, and Harry has fallen for her play," Priddy added. As 15-year olds, Markle and Priddy had traveled to London for a trip in 1996, when they had both posed for a photo, sitting on a metal railing in front of Buckingham Palace and gleaming with happiness."She was always fascinated by the royal family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0. She will play her role ably. But my advice to him (Prince Harry) is to tread cautiously," Priddy said. On Monday, while announcing her engagement, Markle claimed that she `didn`t know much` about her blue-blood fiance or his royal family before she met him."Because I`m from the States, you don`t grow up with the same understanding of the royal family", Markle confessed. Looks like Meghan Markle is one of those few lucky people, whose fairy-tale dreams came true.

Meghan Markle ''wants to be Princess Diana 2.0'', reveals old friend

<p>US actress Meghan Markle has wrapped up her role on legal drama series&nbsp;<em>Suits </em>after seven seasons, USA Network and Universal Cable Productions said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Markle and Britain`s Prince Harry announced their engagement.<br />
<br />
Markle, 36, played Rachel Zane on the cable network drama, rising up the ranks from paralegal to lawyer. The character is engaged to be married to Mike Ross, played by Patrick J. Adams.<br />
<br />
Markle has completed all her filming for the seventh season, which will return in early 2018, the network said.<br />
<br />
&quot;We want to send our most heartfelt congratulations to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their engagement,&quot; USA Network and Universal Cable Productions, both units of Comcast Corp, said in a joint statement.<br />
<br />
&quot;Meghan has been a member of our family for seven years and it has been a joy to work with her. We want to thank her for her undeniable passion and dedication to Suits, and we wish her the very best,&quot; the statement added.&nbsp;<br />
Markle and Harry, 33, announced on Monday they were getting married in May 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple met on a blind date in July 2016 and said their relationship had blossomed &quot;incredibly quickly.&quot;&nbsp;</p>


Markle, 36, played Rachel Zane on the cable network drama, rising up the ranks from paralegal to lawyer

US actress Meghan Markle has wrapped up her role on legal drama series Suits after seven seasons, USA Network and Universal Cable Productions said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Markle and Britain`s Prince Harry announced their engagement. Markle, 36, played Rachel Zane on the cable network drama, rising up the ranks from paralegal to lawyer. The character is engaged to be married to Mike Ross, played by Patrick J. Adams. Markle has completed all her filming for the seventh season, which will return in early 2018, the network said. "We want to send our most heartfelt congratulations to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their engagement," USA Network and Universal Cable Productions, both units of Comcast Corp, said in a joint statement. "Meghan has been a member of our family for seven years and it has been a joy to work with her. We want to thank her for her undeniable passion and dedication to Suits, and we wish her the very best," the statement added. Markle and Harry, 33, announced on Monday they were getting married in May 2018. The couple met on a blind date in July 2016 and said their relationship had blossomed "incredibly quickly."

Meghan Markle departs 'Suits' after engagement to Prince Harry

<p>Meghan Markle says acting will take a back seat when she marries Prince Harry, following the example of screen icon Grace Kelly who abandoned Hollywood to marry into royalty.</p>

<p>The 36-year-old has starred in legal drama <em>Suits</em>&nbsp;since 2011, but is likely to shed many outside interests as she joins the British royal family following the couple&#39;s engagement announcement, according to observers.</p>

<p>Markle confirmed in an interview with the BBC she would be giving up acting and would focus much of her attention on the causes that are important to her.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t see it as giving anything up. I see it as a change. It&#39;s a new chapter,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Markle and Harry, 33, will wed in spring next year, 62 years after silver screen icon Kelly abandoned her glittering career to marry Monaco&#39;s Prince Rainier III.</p>

<p>Hollywood branding expert Jeetendr Sehdev pointed out however that Markle is not in the same league as the Oscar-winning star of 1950s Hitchcock thrillers <em>Dial M for Murder</em>, <em>Rear Window</em>&nbsp;and <em>To Catch a Thief</em>.</p>

<p>&quot;Americans who have heard of Meghan will remember her as a working TV actor rather than a celebrity or a Hollywood star,&quot; Sehdev, bestselling author of <em>The Kim Kardashian Principle,</em>&nbsp;told AFP.</p>

<p>He added that Britain&#39;s first mixed-race royal could nevertheless inspire the British TV industry to create more leading roles for actors of color.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Meghan Markle is the face of the modern princess and there&#39;s no reason why she shouldn&#39;t keep working in TV after her marriage. The palace will likely have a say in any of her future career choices and roles.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The couple is expected to tie the knot in spring of 2018. (Source: YouTube) (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Reform too far?</strong></p>

<p>But royal writer Catriona Harve-Jenner said in a commentary for British lifestyle magazine Cosmopolitan that Markle had made the right decision in shedding her acting ambitions.</p>

<p>&quot;Being a senior member of the royal family is a full-time job, and it requires those who do it to patron charities, represent the UK on an international scale and generally maintain the traditions of the royal family,&quot; said Harve-Jenner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;How would she balance all that with a full-time acting role in <em>Suits</em>?</p>

<p>Markle will be the first American welcomed into the royals since Wallis Simpson -- famously also a divorcee -- but will probably not, in fact, be a princess.</p>

<p>What is far more likely, say experts, is that the couple become a duke and duchess, like William and Kate.</p>

<p>As well as starring as paralegal Rachel Zane on <em>Suits</em>,&nbsp;Markle is an entrepreneur, activist, blogger and fashion designer and would probably be expected to drop many of those pursuits too, to focus on royal activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actress appears to already be winding down her workload, having shut down her lifestyle website,<em> The Tig</em>,&nbsp;in recent months.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sarika Bose, a lecturer in Victorian literature at the University of British Columbia and a royal expert, said times had changed since Kelly was forced to choose between career and family life.</p>

<p>But she added that having a working actress in the fold may yet be a modernizing reform too far for the British throne, which dates back to the merger of England and Scotland in the early 18th century.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>&#39;Very charismatic&#39;&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>&quot;Although British society and the monarchy have changed greatly over the last few decades, there are still possible assumptions people might impose on Ms Markle which are conflated with her acting roles, her life as a celebrity and her public role as a member of the royal family,&quot; she told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bose said she expected Markle to follow other members of the family in pursuing charitable activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Well before meeting Prince Harry, Markle already demonstrated a serious interest and commitment to social justice initiatives, as a World Vision Global Ambassador and an advocate for political participation and leadership for women through the United Nations,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&quot;These activities provide her with both experience and credibility as a patron of causes when she becomes a member of the royal family.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The daughter of an African-American mother and white American father of Dutch and Irish descent, Markle&#39;s parents divorced when she was aged six.</p>

<p>She has half-siblings on her father&#39;s side, and grew up in Los Angeles, attending a girls&#39; Roman Catholic school there.</p>

<p>After graduating from Northwestern University&#39;s School of Communication in 2003, Markle appeared on more than a dozen TV shows including <em>CSI: NY,&nbsp;</em><em>Knight Rider</em>&nbsp;and<em> Fringe</em>.</p>

<p>She became more high-profile when she began appearing in <em>Suits</em>&nbsp;and secured a small role in the movie <em>Horrible Bosses</em>&nbsp;(2011).</p>

<p>Clarence Moye, TV editor at Awards Daily, described Markle as a &quot;very charismatic&quot; actress and said he was disappointed that she appeared to be set on conforming to tradition.</p>

<p>&quot;It would be interesting to see a modern woman continuing her career... but it&#39;s not where she seems to be headed,&quot; he said.</p>


Meghan Markle says acting will take a back seat when she marries Prince Harry

Meghan Markle says acting will take a back seat when she marries Prince Harry, following the example of screen icon Grace Kelly who abandoned Hollywood to marry into royalty. The 36-year-old has starred in legal drama Suits since 2011, but is likely to shed many outside interests as she joins the British royal family following the couple's engagement announcement, according to observers. Markle confirmed in an interview with the BBC she would be giving up acting and would focus much of her attention on the causes that are important to her. "I don't see it as giving anything up. I see it as a change. It's a new chapter," she said. Markle and Harry, 33, will wed in spring next year, 62 years after silver screen icon Kelly abandoned her glittering career to marry Monaco's Prince Rainier III. Hollywood branding expert Jeetendr Sehdev pointed out however that Markle is not in the same league as the Oscar-winning star of 1950s Hitchcock thrillers Dial M for Murder, Rear Window and To Catch a Thief. "Americans who have heard of Meghan will remember her as a working TV actor rather than a celebrity or a Hollywood star," Sehdev, bestselling author of The Kim Kardashian Principle, told AFP. He added that Britain's first mixed-race royal could nevertheless inspire the British TV industry to create more leading roles for actors of color. "Meghan Markle is the face of the modern princess and there's no reason why she shouldn't keep working in TV after her marriage. The palace will likely have a say in any of her future career choices and roles." The couple is expected to tie the knot in spring of 2018. (Source: YouTube) (Others) × Reform too far? But royal writer Catriona Harve-Jenner said in a commentary for British lifestyle magazine Cosmopolitan that Markle had made the right decision in shedding her acting ambitions. "Being a senior member of the royal family is a full-time job, and it requires those who do it to patron charities, represent the UK on an international scale and generally maintain the traditions of the royal family," said Harve-Jenner. "How would she balance all that with a full-time acting role in Suits? Markle will be the first American welcomed into the royals since Wallis Simpson -- famously also a divorcee -- but will probably not, in fact, be a princess. What is far more likely, say experts, is that the couple become a duke and duchess, like William and Kate. As well as starring as paralegal Rachel Zane on Suits, Markle is an entrepreneur, activist, blogger and fashion designer and would probably be expected to drop many of those pursuits too, to focus on royal activities. The actress appears to already be winding down her workload, having shut down her lifestyle website, The Tig, in recent months. Sarika Bose, a lecturer in Victorian literature at the University of British Columbia and a royal expert, said times had changed since Kelly was forced to choose between career and family life. But she added that having a working actress in the fold may yet be a modernizing reform too far for the British throne, which dates back to the merger of England and Scotland in the early 18th century. 'Very charismatic' "Although British society and the monarchy have changed greatly over the last few decades, there are still possible assumptions people might impose on Ms Markle which are conflated with her acting roles, her life as a celebrity and her public role as a member of the royal family," she told AFP. Bose said she expected Markle to follow other members of the family in pursuing charitable activities. "Well before meeting Prince Harry, Markle already demonstrated a serious interest and commitment to social justice initiatives, as a World Vision Global Ambassador and an advocate for political participation and leadership for women through the United Nations," she said. "These activities provide her with both experience and credibility as a patron of causes when she becomes a member of the royal family." The daughter of an African-American mother and white American father of Dutch and Irish descent, Markle's parents divorced when she was aged six. She has half-siblings on her father's side, and grew up in Los Angeles, attending a girls' Roman Catholic school there. After graduating from Northwestern University's School of Communication in 2003, Markle appeared on more than a dozen TV shows including CSI: NY, Knight Rider and Fringe. She became more high-profile when she began appearing in Suits and secured a small role in the movie Horrible Bosses (2011). Clarence Moye, TV editor at Awards Daily, described Markle as a "very charismatic" actress and said he was disappointed that she appeared to be set on conforming to tradition. "It would be interesting to see a modern woman continuing her career... but it's not where she seems to be headed," he said.

Engaged to a prince, Meghan Markle follows Grace Kelly in abandoning acting

<p>Former United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated the newly-engaged couple Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Obama in a tweet said:&nbsp;&quot;Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together.</p>
&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/935255366438408192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prince Harry and Markle announced their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-announces-his-engagement-to-actress-meghan-markle-25254" target="_blank">engagement </a>on Monday after dating for one and a half years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-prince-harry-proposed-meghan-markle-while-cooking-a-roast-chicken-25294" target="_blank">Prince Harry proposed Meghan Markle while cooking a roast chicken</a></strong></em></p>

<p>The two were first introduced by a mutual friend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry is the&nbsp;grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and is fifth in line to the throne.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prince Harry (33) and Markel (36) will get married in the spring of 2018.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The couple announced their engagement after dating for one and a half years

Former United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated the newly-engaged couple Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Obama in a tweet said: "Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together". Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 27, 2017 × Prince Harry and Markle announced their engagement on Monday after dating for one and a half years. Also Read: Prince Harry proposed Meghan Markle while cooking a roast chicken The two were first introduced by a mutual friend. Prince Harry is the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and is fifth in line to the throne. Prince Harry (33) and Markel (36) will get married in the spring of 2018.

Barack Obama congratulates Prince Harry, Meghan Markle on engagement

<p>Following the announcement of Meghan Markle`s engagement to Prince Harry, global star Priyanka Chopra sent her best wishes to the royal couple.<br />
<br />
The <em>Quantico</em>&nbsp;star took to Instagram to express her delight and congratulate her close friend &#39;Meg`.&quot;Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I`m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo,&quot; wrote actress.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcA3fplASko/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I&rsquo;m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ????????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on <time datetime="2017-11-27T21:20:12+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 27, 2017 at 1:20pm PST</time></p>
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<p>Priyanka has been touted as a potential bridesmaid when Markle ties the knot with Prince Harry next spring.The two first met at a party in Toronto, Canada - where Meghan filmed <em>Suits</em>&nbsp;- two years ago.&nbsp;</p>


The `Quantico` star took to Instagram to express her delight and congratulate her close friend `Meg`

Following the announcement of Meghan Markle`s engagement to Prince Harry, global star Priyanka Chopra sent her best wishes to the royal couple. The Quantico star took to Instagram to express her delight and congratulate her close friend 'Meg`."Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I`m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo," wrote actress. Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I’m so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo ???????? A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Nov 27, 2017 at 1:20pm PST × Priyanka has been touted as a potential bridesmaid when Markle ties the knot with Prince Harry next spring.The two first met at a party in Toronto, Canada - where Meghan filmed Suits - two years ago.

Priyanka Chopra is 'happy' for friend Meghan Markle as she gets engaged to Prince Harry

<p>King Edward VIII sacrificed his throne and Queen Elizabeth&#39;s sister Margaret gave up her one true love, but for Prince Harry marrying a divorcee is no longer a bar to being a royal or following his heart.<br />
<br />
On Monday, Harry, fifth-in-line to the British throne, announced he was to wed his girlfriend, divorced U.S. actress Meghan Markle, with the blessing of his grandmother, the queen.<br />
<br />
British social attitudes have been transformed in recent decades but the monarchy has been bound by a more traditional set of Christian values.</p>

<p>So the queen&#39;s approval is a stark demonstration of how much the monarchy has also changed and modernised in the last 80 years when the idea of a royal marrying someone who was divorced was inconceivable.<br />
&quot;It&#39;s extraordinary how far we&#39;ve come since the 1930s,&quot; said royal biographer Claudia Joseph. &quot;In less than a century, times have changed beyond all recognition.&quot;<br />
<br />
Famously, Harry&#39;s great-great-uncle Edward VIII set off a constitutional crisis in 1936 by insisting on marrying twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson to the horror of the British establishment, the government and the Church of England, which the monarch nominally heads.</p>

<p>It was dubbed &quot;the greatest love story of the 20th century&quot; and Edward abdicated after just 11 months on the throne and ended up living in France, meaning Elizabeth&#39;s father George VI unexpectedly became king.<br />
<br />
&quot;You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love,&quot; Edward said in his abdication speech.</p>

<p>Such attitudes were still prevalent two decades later. In 1955, Elizabeth&#39;s younger glamorous sister Margaret was forced to call off her proposed marriage to a dashing air force officer, Group Captain Peter Townsend.</p>

<p>Although a royal equerry, Townsend was still deemed an unsuitable husband for the queen&#39;s sister because he was divorced and he was sent off to Brussels by Buckingham Palace.<br />
<br />
<strong>&quot;MARRIAGE IS INDISSOLUBLE&quot;</strong><br />
<br />
&quot;I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend,&quot; Margaret said in a sad announcement to the nation. &quot;Mindful that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before others.&quot;<br />
<br />
While divorce was considered unfathomable in those days, it has since become a common feature for the Windsors. Of Elizabeth&#39;s four children, three of their marriages have ended in divorce, most spectacularly that of Harry&#39;s father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his first wife Princess Diana.<br />
<br />
They divorced in 1996, 15 years after their fairytale wedding and a year before she was killed in a car crash in Paris and Charles went on to wed another divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.<br />
<br />
Camilla was someone who he had first considered marrying in the early 1970s but who royal courtiers had considered unacceptable while she was not keen on taking on the role herself at the time.</p>

<p>However Charles and Camilla could not marry in church, and the queen, who holds strong religious beliefs and has taken her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously, declined to attend the civil ceremony.<br />
<br />
The Church of England had only ruled three years earlier that a divorced person could &quot;in exceptional circumstances&quot; marry again in church while their former spouse was still alive.<br />
<br />
Joseph said Charles&#39;s second marriage had paved the way for Harry.<br />
<br />
&quot;I think the dilemma came when Prince Charles married the Duchess of Cornwall,&quot; she told Reuters. &quot;That was a hard thing for the queen to deal with. Somehow they had to marry without compromising her role as head of the church.&quot;<br />
<br />
Harry and Meghan&#39;s union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th century.<br />
<br />
&quot;The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness,&quot; Buckingham Palace said in a statement.</p>


The queen's approval is a stark demonstration of how much the monarchy has also changed and modernised in the last 80 years when the idea of a royal marrying someone who was divorced was inconceivable

King Edward VIII sacrificed his throne and Queen Elizabeth's sister Margaret gave up her one true love, but for Prince Harry marrying a divorcee is no longer a bar to being a royal or following his heart. On Monday, Harry, fifth-in-line to the British throne, announced he was to wed his girlfriend, divorced U.S. actress Meghan Markle, with the blessing of his grandmother, the queen. British social attitudes have been transformed in recent decades but the monarchy has been bound by a more traditional set of Christian values. So the queen's approval is a stark demonstration of how much the monarchy has also changed and modernised in the last 80 years when the idea of a royal marrying someone who was divorced was inconceivable. "It's extraordinary how far we've come since the 1930s," said royal biographer Claudia Joseph. "In less than a century, times have changed beyond all recognition." Famously, Harry's great-great-uncle Edward VIII set off a constitutional crisis in 1936 by insisting on marrying twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson to the horror of the British establishment, the government and the Church of England, which the monarch nominally heads. It was dubbed "the greatest love story of the 20th century" and Edward abdicated after just 11 months on the throne and ended up living in France, meaning Elizabeth's father George VI unexpectedly became king. "You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love," Edward said in his abdication speech. Such attitudes were still prevalent two decades later. In 1955, Elizabeth's younger glamorous sister Margaret was forced to call off her proposed marriage to a dashing air force officer, Group Captain Peter Townsend. Although a royal equerry, Townsend was still deemed an unsuitable husband for the queen's sister because he was divorced and he was sent off to Brussels by Buckingham Palace. "MARRIAGE IS INDISSOLUBLE" "I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend," Margaret said in a sad announcement to the nation. "Mindful that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before others." While divorce was considered unfathomable in those days, it has since become a common feature for the Windsors. Of Elizabeth's four children, three of their marriages have ended in divorce, most spectacularly that of Harry's father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his first wife Princess Diana. They divorced in 1996, 15 years after their fairytale wedding and a year before she was killed in a car crash in Paris and Charles went on to wed another divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. Camilla was someone who he had first considered marrying in the early 1970s but who royal courtiers had considered unacceptable while she was not keen on taking on the role herself at the time. However Charles and Camilla could not marry in church, and the queen, who holds strong religious beliefs and has taken her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously, declined to attend the civil ceremony. The Church of England had only ruled three years earlier that a divorced person could "in exceptional circumstances" marry again in church while their former spouse was still alive. Joseph said Charles's second marriage had paved the way for Harry. "I think the dilemma came when Prince Charles married the Duchess of Cornwall," she told Reuters. "That was a hard thing for the queen to deal with. Somehow they had to marry without compromising her role as head of the church." Harry and Meghan's union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th century. "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Prince Harry's engagement shows British monarchy has moved on from scandals of past

<p>It is official. Prince Harry of UK is engaged to actress Meghan Markle. The two will be getting married in the spring of 2018, Harry&#39;s father Prince Charles &nbsp;announced in a statement on Monday.<br />
<br />
Harry, 33, currently fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, best known for her role in the U.S. TV legal drama Suits, became engaged earlier this month, the statement issued by Clarence House said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meet-meghan-markle-the-mix-race-actress-set-to-marry-britains-prince-harry-25266">Also read: Who is Meghan Markle</a><br />
<br />
&quot;Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle`s parents,&quot; the statement said.<br />
<br />
The couple started dating sometime last year but did not confirm it. It was only in September that Markle admitted to their relationship in an interview to Vanity Fair magazine. The actress said, &quot;We&rsquo;re a couple,&ldquo; Markle told the U.S. magazine. &rdquo;We&rsquo;re in love. I&lsquo;m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us. It&rsquo;s part of what makes it so special, that it&rsquo;s just ours. But we&rsquo;re happy. Personally, I love a great love story.&rdquo;</p>

<p>(With inputs from Reuters)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The couple are set to marry in spring of 2018

It is official. Prince Harry of UK is engaged to actress Meghan Markle. The two will be getting married in the spring of 2018, Harry's father Prince Charles announced in a statement on Monday. Harry, 33, currently fifth-in-line to the British throne, and Markle, 36, best known for her role in the U.S. TV legal drama Suits, became engaged earlier this month, the statement issued by Clarence House said. Also read: Who is Meghan Markle "Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle`s parents," the statement said. The couple started dating sometime last year but did not confirm it. It was only in September that Markle admitted to their relationship in an interview to Vanity Fair magazine. The actress said, "We’re a couple,“ Markle told the U.S. magazine. ”We’re in love. I‘m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us. It’s part of what makes it so special, that it’s just ours. But we’re happy. Personally, I love a great love story.” (With inputs from Reuters)

Prince Harry announces his engagement to actress Meghan Markle

<p>For a lot of royal watchers, news of Prince Harry&#39;s engagement to actress Meghan Markle was an impending one. The two have been going steady for a while and many felt that marriage was always on the cards.<br />
<br />
While any news around UK&#39;s royal family manages to create a stir, this particular news should be celebrated more as Meghan Markle entry into the royal family marks an end to the white-skin domination inside the Buckingham Palace.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The soon-to-be princess is a mix-race American citizen who- by her own admission- is an activist and believes in voicing her opinion.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sending good vibes - always in all ways <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nobadenergy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nobadenergy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bethechange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bethechange</a> <a href="https://t.co/MnJQwsgzo1">pic.twitter.com/MnJQwsgzo1</a></p>
&mdash; Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) <a href="https://twitter.com/meghanmarkle/status/830866134232608770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Born in California to African-Amercian mother and a Caucasian father, Meghan states it that she had to fight her own battles while growing up as a mixed race individual. In an interview to<a href="http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/news/a26855/more-than-an-other/"> Elle</a> magazine last year, Markle spoke about how she fought her herself and created her own terms. &quot;You push for color-blind casting, you draw your own box &hellip; You create the identity you want for yourself, just as my ancestors did when they were given their freedom,&rdquo; said Markle.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLB_IDRgj9g/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Weekend shenanigans with @jessicamulroney (wearing my very favorite button down from @mishanonoo) ????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on <time datetime="2016-10-01T18:52:25+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 1, 2016 at 11:52am PDT</time></p>
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<p><br />
Markle&#39;s inclusion into Britain&#39;s royal family is a momentous one. For years, the family has married into royalty or within aristocratic families-&nbsp;Kate Middleton perhaps being an exception. But white skin has dominated the family for centuries and Markle would be the first mix-race woman to be married into the Windsor family.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On November 8, 2016, an official statement was released from the Royal Family&#39;s communications secretary addressing the &quot;wave of abuse and harassment&quot; directed toward Markle that followed the announcement of her relationship with Prince Harry. The statement condemned the sexist, racist and defamatory stories that were directed at Markle and urged the press to &quot;pause and reflect&quot; before driving these storylines. The royal family&#39;s statement defending a mix-race woman was welcomed by one and all.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A feminist, Markel has advocated for women&#39;s rights for a long time. Earlier in 2017, Markel visited India to highlight the stigma around menstruation for poverty-stricken women in Delhi and Mumbai and later wrote an article for <a href="http://time.com/4694568/meghan-markle-period-stigma/">TIME </a>magazine about her experience.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you TIME Mag for the opportunity to highlight such an important issue. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/grateful?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#grateful</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IWD</a> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/TIME?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TIME</a>: Meghan Markle: <a href="https://t.co/cgPUQQfj44">https://t.co/cgPUQQfj44</a></p>
&mdash; Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) <a href="https://twitter.com/meghanmarkle/status/839533777466576896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Markle made her acting debut in 2002 in an episode in<em> General Hospital</em> and has worked in shows like<em> CSI: Miami, Knight Rider, </em>and <em>Castle</em> among others. But she is best known for playing Rachel Zane in legal comic-drama series <em>Suits</em>.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The actress was married to actor and producer Trevor Engelson and got divorced in 2013. She met Prince Harry in 2016 and the two have been in a relationship since June 2016. A student of theater and international studies, she had once interned at the US embassy in Buenos Aires. She was also the editor-in-chief and owner of a lifestyle website called <em>The Tig</em> which closed in April 2017.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSlzBvGhwxW/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Thank you to all the supporters of The Tig! From followers to contributors, you have become friends ? It is YOU who have made this Tig community so special. And even though I haven&#39;t met most of you, for three years I&#39;ve seen your faces and read your comments and hugged you from afar. (Domi, Em, Hannah, Sol, Iris, Doris, Jessy, Simone, Cassy....and so many more! I will always be grateful for your support). Go to @thetigofficial or thetig.com to see our official send-off. Sending all the love xx MM #TigFarewell</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on <time datetime="2017-04-07T16:19:07+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 7, 2017 at 9:19am PDT</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKPVuG2Al3o/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">About last night. Thank you to my babe @priyankachopra for the best date night #Hamilton #NYC</a></p>

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<p>The couple is set to marry in spring of 2018 and while everyone knows that Markle will have to follow certain protocols as part of the royal family- it would be interesting to see what new trends Markle creates on her own accord.&nbsp;</p>


The couple will get married in Spring next year

For a lot of royal watchers, news of Prince Harry's engagement to actress Meghan Markle was an impending one. The two have been going steady for a while and many felt that marriage was always on the cards. While any news around UK's royal family manages to create a stir, this particular news should be celebrated more as Meghan Markle entry into the royal family marks an end to the white-skin domination inside the Buckingham Palace. The soon-to-be princess is a mix-race American citizen who- by her own admission- is an activist and believes in voicing her opinion. Sending good vibes - always in all ways #nobadenergy #bethechange pic.twitter.com/MnJQwsgzo1 — Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) February 12, 2017 × Born in California to African-Amercian mother and a Caucasian father, Meghan states it that she had to fight her own battles while growing up as a mixed race individual. In an interview to Elle magazine last year, Markle spoke about how she fought her herself and created her own terms. "You push for color-blind casting, you draw your own box … You create the identity you want for yourself, just as my ancestors did when they were given their freedom,” said Markle. Weekend shenanigans with @jessicamulroney (wearing my very favorite button down from @mishanonoo) ???? A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Oct 1, 2016 at 11:52am PDT × Markle's inclusion into Britain's royal family is a momentous one. For years, the family has married into royalty or within aristocratic families- Kate Middleton perhaps being an exception. But white skin has dominated the family for centuries and Markle would be the first mix-race woman to be married into the Windsor family. On November 8, 2016, an official statement was released from the Royal Family's communications secretary addressing the "wave of abuse and harassment" directed toward Markle that followed the announcement of her relationship with Prince Harry. The statement condemned the sexist, racist and defamatory stories that were directed at Markle and urged the press to "pause and reflect" before driving these storylines. The royal family's statement defending a mix-race woman was welcomed by one and all. A feminist, Markel has advocated for women's rights for a long time. Earlier in 2017, Markel visited India to highlight the stigma around menstruation for poverty-stricken women in Delhi and Mumbai and later wrote an article for TIME magazine about her experience. Thank you TIME Mag for the opportunity to highlight such an important issue. #grateful #IWD RT @TIME: Meghan Markle: https://t.co/cgPUQQfj44 — Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) March 8, 2017 × Markle made her acting debut in 2002 in an episode in General Hospital and has worked in shows like CSI: Miami, Knight Rider, and Castle among others. But she is best known for playing Rachel Zane in legal comic-drama series Suits. The actress was married to actor and producer Trevor Engelson and got divorced in 2013. She met Prince Harry in 2016 and the two have been in a relationship since June 2016. A student of theater and international studies, she had once interned at the US embassy in Buenos Aires. She was also the editor-in-chief and owner of a lifestyle website called The Tig which closed in April 2017. Thank you to all the supporters of The Tig! From followers to contributors, you have become friends ? It is YOU who have made this Tig community so special. And even though I haven't met most of you, for three years I've seen your faces and read your comments and hugged you from afar. (Domi, Em, Hannah, Sol, Iris, Doris, Jessy, Simone, Cassy....and so many more! I will always be grateful for your support). Go to @thetigofficial or thetig.com to see our official send-off. Sending all the love xx MM #TigFarewell A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Apr 7, 2017 at 9:19am PDT × About last night. Thank you to my babe @priyankachopra for the best date night #Hamilton #NYC A post shared by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Sep 11, 2016 at 7:48pm PDT × The couple is set to marry in spring of 2018 and while everyone knows that Markle will have to follow certain protocols as part of the royal family- it would be interesting to see what new trends Markle creates on her own accord.

Meet Meghan Markle: The mix-race actress set to marry Britain's Prince Harry

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