For some, Meghan Markle might just be a former royal who left the British monarch to form a new life “back home” in the US. While the Duchess of Cambridge and Harry had a couple of successful years working within The Firm, the California native had a pretty lucrative career as an actress before she took on the Duchess title and all that came with it.

Meghan became a star through her role as Rachel in the hit series Suits. She pretty much grew up in show business, and while her celebrity status went up, she also had some side gigs, including a blog and charity work.

But Meghan Markle had been on her way to follow a different path before she met Harry. In fact, she and her friend were set to embark on their dream – opening a very special store.

Meghan Markle was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 4, 1981.

At a young age, she was welcomed into the world of show business thanks to her father, Thomas Markle, an Emmy award-winning lighting director. On many occasions, Meghan was able to join her father on set.

Meghan Markle – early life

She attended the all-girls Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, which greatly contrasted being on set.

“Every day after school for 10 years, I was on the set of Married, with Children, which is a really funny and perverse place for a little girl in a Catholic school uniform to grow up,” Meghan recalled.

“There were a lot of times my dad would say, ‘Meg, why don’t you go and help with the craft services room over there? This is just a little off-color for your 11-year-old eyes.’”

As a child, Meghan showed a strong will to make the world a better place. But, by age 11, she saw a commercial for a dishwashing soap only aimed at women, which upset her.

“I don’t think it’s right for kids to grow up thinking these things, that just Mom does everything,” she said.

Her father supported his daughter’s will to change things and aided her in writing to high-profile people, including Hillary Clinton, hoping they could help. A few days later, the soap company changed its slogan from “Women All Over America” to “People All Over America.”

Since Meghan Markle was very interested in show business, she studied communication at Northwestern University. She says she always wanted to act but “hated the idea of being this cliché girl from LA who decides to be an actress.”